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Books by 

ELMER RUSSELL GREGOR 

WAR-PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 
Illustrated. Post 8vo 

THE RED ARROW. Illustrated. Post 8vo 

CAMPING IN THE WINTER WOODS 
Illustrated. Post 8vo 

CAMPING ON WESTERN TRAILS 
Illustrated. Post 8vo 


HARPER & BROTHERS, NEW YORK 
Established 1817 


4 



[See page 70 

B oldly outlined on the cliff stood the erect figure of 
a solitary warrior. 


WAR PATH AND 
HUNTING TRAIL 

ADVENTURES OF INDIAN BOYS 

BY 

ELMER RUSSELL GREGOR 

AUTHOR OF ” 

“CAMPING ON WESTERN TRAILS” 

“THE RED arrow” ETC. 



HARPER BROTHERS PUBLISHERS 
NEW YORK AND LONDON 





MAY 20 1316 



War Path and Hunting Trail 


Copyright, 1911, 1912, 1913. 1914. 1916, by Harper & Brothers 
Printed in the United States of America 
Published May, 1916 


D-Q 


©CI.A431156 


CONTENTS 


PAGE 

Introduction vii 

I. Silver Cloud, the Delaware i 

II. Sky Bird, the Iroquois 19 

III. The Gratitude of Lame Deer 31 

IV. The Redemption of Jumping Fox 58 

V. Singing Bear, the Chippewa 75 

VI. The War-eagle 100 

VII. Little Hawk, the Sioux 123 

VIII. Little Beaver, Son of Roaring Bear .... 139 

IX. A Pawnee Scout 153 

X. The White Buffalo 175 

XI. The Adventure of Crying Bear 189 



INTRODUCTION 


In this book, as in The Red Arrow, I 
have endeavored to show the Indian as he 
actually was. These adventures belong to the 
realm of fiction, but the thoughts, motives, 
customs, and traditions which are illustrated 
are those which are characteristic of the old- 
time red man. I have aimed to tell stories 
of clean and wholesome adventure which have 
a certain historical value because they show 
the Indian as he was. In this Indian life of 
the olden time there was a manly self-reliance 
which is the foundation of true character and 
real success. Whatever the faults of the 
Indians were, they should be judged accord- 
ing to their standards, and assuredly their un- 
faltering faith and courage, their self-denial 
and loyalty, have some lesson for those who 
have come after them. 

Elmer Russell Gregor. 














WAR PATH 

AND HUNTING TRAIL 









WAR PATH 

AND HUNTING TRAIL 


I 

SILVER CLOUD, THE DELAWARE 

T he first gray tinge of dawn was flooding 
the forest with a soft gray twilight as 
Silver Cloud, the Delaware, cast aside his robe 
and rose from his couch of ferns. He stood 
some moments listening to the sounds of 
awakening life. Birds sang in the thickets, 
a squirrel barked saucily in a tree above him, 
and a fish splashed close to the shore. Then, 
satisfied that all was well, the lad gathered 
his weapons and made his way cautiously 
toward the river. 

Once within sight of the water. Silver Cloud 
stopped to reconnoiter. As he heard nothing 
to alarm him, he crept steathily into the fringe 
of willows which bordered the river. He had 


I 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


scarcely concealed himself, however, when he 
saw something which caused him to start with 
surprise. 

A bark canoe had rounded a bend of the 
stream and was drifting slowly toward his 
hiding-place. Silver Cloud watched it with 
considerable uneasiness. To all appearances 
it was unoccupied and abandoned. Still the 
young Delaware feared a trap. As it came 
nearer he identified it as being of Delaware 
workmanship. His first impulse was to swim 
out and recover it, but a moment’s reflection 
convinced him that such recklessness might 
prove fatal, and he told himself that he must 
be cautious. He studied the approaching 
craft with great attention. Silver Cloud had 
been well trained in the art of observing, and 
his sharp eyes soon told him enough to quiet 
his fears. He noted that the canoe rode high 
upon the water, which satisfied him that it 
was without an occupant. As it drifted 
on an even keel and failed to leave a ripple 
he felt sure that it did not conceal some 
crafty swimmer who might have been using 
it as a shield. Assured, therefore, that the 
mysterious craft was deserted, the alert Dela- 
ware searched his brain for a way to gain 
possession of it. 

Some distance below Silver Cloud’s place 
2 


SILVER CLOUD, THE DELAWARE 

of concealment a long, narrow strip of 
gravelly beach extended far out into the river. 
Much to the lad’s delight he saw that the 
canoe was drifting directly toward that ob- 
stacle. He watched with bated breath until 
the prize finally grounded upon the projecting 
bar. Then as the canoe swung slowly about 
with the current he realized that he must act 
quickly if he would secure the trophy. Skulk- 
ing through the bushes with the speed and 
agility of a fox, the young Delaware made his 
way toward the canoe. It had already 
swung stern foremost down the stream, and 
as the lad hesitated he saw the bow sliding 
from the beach. 

Silver Cloud waded swiftly into the water 
and seized the unoccupied canoe. As he drew 
it toward him the bow slipped into the 
water and left a telltale mark on the gravelly 
bar. The young Delaware made no attempt 
to erase it, for he knew that any one who 
might follow on the trail would see it and 
be deceived. It appeared as though, hav- 
ing grounded at that spot, the canoe had 
drifted around with the current and floated 
away. 

The excited lad waded with his prize until 
he found a safe hiding-place, and then he 
dragged the canoe into the bushes. He 
3 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


uttered an exclamation of surprise as he saw a 
long hickory bow and a buckskin quiver filled 
with arrows lying in the bottom of the 
abandoned canoe. A moment later he had 
them in his hands, staring at them in amaze- 
ment. The weapons were of Delaware manu- 
facture, and, what was still more astounding. 
Silver Cloud recognized the decorations on 
the buckskin quiver. It was the property of 
his envious rival. Spotted Hawk. 

Spotted Hawk had long been jealous of the 
superior exploits of Silver Cloud, and had 
taken every opportunity to annoy and hu- 
miliate him. A feud had thus sprung up be- 
tween them, and while they had never per- 
mitted their feelings to lead them into actual 
combat, they had lived a sort of armed 
hostility toward each other. 

For many moments after this startling dis- 
covery, therefore. Silver Cloud stood ab- 
sorbed in gloomy meditation. His mind was 
occupied with two important questions, which 
for the moment at least he saw no way of 
answering. He would have given almost 
everything he possessed to know how far 
the canoe had drifted on its solitary journey, 
and how it chanced to contain Spotted Hawk's 
weapons. He knew that his rival had left 
the village some days before on a hunting 
4 


SILVER CLOUD, THE DELAWARE 

expedition, and it now seemed probable that 
he had ventured north into the Iroquois 
country in search of beaver. But that so 
skilful a warrior as Spotted Hawk should 
have left his canoe and his weapons uncon- 
cealed on the river-bank seemed incredible^ 
Even Silver Cloud was compelled to acknowl- 
edge that his despised rival had more sense 
than to make such a blunder. Besides, 
Silver Cloud recalled the absence of the ash 
paddle. He told himself, therefore, that if 
Spotted Hawk had intentionally left his canoe 
he would have taken his weapons and left 
the paddle. The whole affair was a mystery, 
and the perplexed lad wondered what he 
should do. 

The stream was one of several branches 
which emptied into the large body of water 
that flowed past the distant Delaware village. 
Silver Cloud's first impulse was to make a 
paddle and take the canoe to his tribe, with 
a detailed account of the mysterious circum- 
stances which surrounded his discovery. On 
second thought, however, he saw two reasons 
for changing his mind. First, because he was 
not at all sure that any ill fate had befallen 
Spotted Hawk; and second, because he feared 
that the latter might have lost his canoe 
through carelessness, and, finding it in pos- 
5 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


session of Silver Cloud, might accuse him of 
stealing it. In such an event he knew only 
too well the banter that would go round at 
his expense. He told himself that a warrior 
should investigate before giving way to his 
suspicions, and he determined to learn the 
answer to the mystery. Silver Cloud be- 
lieved that if Spotted Hawk had actually fallen 
into the hands of the Iroquois, they would 
despatch warriors to search for the missing 
canoe. The lad realized, therefore, that he 
was in considerable danger, and he knew 
that he must be alert and cautious. 

Retaining the bow and quiver. Silver Cloud 
carried the canoe to the river. As he set 
the frail craft adrift he overturned it with 
his foot to make plausible the disappearance 
of the weapons. Then he watched with keen 
satisfaction as the canoe drifted toward a 
long stretch of white water some distance 
farther down the river. When it had finally 
passed from sight the young Delaware began 
to search for a safe place of concealment, 
where he might watch the stream for the 
appearance of rival or foe. 

Many hours passed while Silver Cloud con- 
tinued his alert vigil on the river-bank. Like 
a lynx watching for its prey, the young Dela- 
ware waited to learn the answer to the 
6 


SILVER CLOUD, THE DELAWARE 

mystery. Nothing escaped him. His eyes saw 
every movement ; his ears caught every sound. 

Toward the end of the day, Silver Clotid’s 
patience was rewarded as he discovered an- 
other canoe coming swiftly down the river. 
He saw at once that it differed in pattern and 
workmanship from the one which had pre- 
ceded it. It was guided by two sturdy 
paddlers, whom Silver Cloud recognized even 
at a distance as Iroquois warriors. His heart 
bounded wildly against his ribs at sight of 
these fierce foes, but as he had concealed him- 
self with great care, and felt secure from dis- 
covery, he determined to hold his ground. 

The Iroquois canoemen kept their craft in 
the middle of the stream, while their keen 
eyes searched the shores for signs of the miss- 
ing canoe. As they passed him Silver Cloud 
studied them closely. The warrior in the stern 
of the canoe was a powerful middle-aged man 
of threatening appearance, while his com- 
panion was a tall and lithesome youth of more 
pleasing countenance. They turned their 
canoe toward the gravelly beach upon which 
the Delaware canoe had grounded, and Silver 
Cloud wondered whether they would discover 
the telltale mark in the sand. He was not 
left long in doubt, for he saw the younger 
warrior pointing toward the beach and talk- 
7 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


ing excitedly to his companion. The latter, 
however, was more wary. Having discovered 
evidence of the missing canoe, he apparently 
feared an attack from shore. The two pad- 
dlers spent some time watching both banks of 
the river. Then, when they had finally as- 
sured themselves that they were in no imme- 
diate danger, they paddled close to the beach 
and studied the mark in the gravel. Silver 
Cloud watched in painful suspense. It was 
soon evident, however, that they had been 
deceived by his stratagem, for they pushed 
their canoe into the current and disappeared 
down the river. 

The young Delaware might easily have 
killed both those warriors from ambush, but 
under the circumstances he believed it would 
have been most unwise. He felt almost cer- 
tain that Spotted Hawk, his boastful rival, 
had fallen into the hands of his foes. He 
believed that the two warriors who had passed 
so close to him were on the trail of the Del- 
aware canoe. Therefore Silver Cloud took 
keen satisfaction in the good sense which had 
persuaded him to set it afloat. He felt quite 
sure that those same warriors would return 
up the river as soon as their search was ended, 
and he determined to remain in his hiding- 
place to watch for them. Then he planned to 
8 


SILVER CLOUD, THE DELAWARE 

follow them, hoping in this way to learn the 
fate of Spotted Hawk. 

As the evening shadows were settling upon 
the forest the Iroquois scouts returned with 
the Delaware canoe. They passed well over 
toward the opposite bank of the river and 
disappeared from sight around a wooded arm 
of the shore. 

Silver Cloud waited until he believed they 
were well beyond hearing, and then he gath- 
ered his robe and his weapons and stole cau- 
tiously away into the darkening forest. He 
hurried on their trail with the stealth and 
caution of a fox. As night finally closed down 
he ventured nearer the water, straining his 
eyes to catch the first warning flicker of a 
camp-fire. He fully realized the peril to which 
he was exposing himself, but his curiosity as 
to the fate of his rival led him on. 

Silver Cloud had gone a considerable dis- 
tance before he finally caught the first warn- 
ing flash of light which advised him that he 
was approaching the Iroquois camp. His 
heart bounded at the thought, and he stopped 
behind a giant hemlock to watch and listen. 
Fearful of making a nearer approach until he 
had reconnoitered, the young Delaware de- 
cided to pass the balance of the night where 
he was, and to follow the travelers, if they 
9 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


resumed their journey at dawn. He would 
have preferred to crawl near enough to the 
hostile camp to learn the size of the war-party 
and the fate of Spotted Hawk. However, he 
feared that the capture of the latter might 
have made the Iroquois suspicious, and he 
believed the camp was guarded by sen- 
tinels. He determined to wait until day- 
light, therefore, before attempting a closer 
approach. 

With the first gray streak of light in the 
eastern sky Silver Cloud waded carefully into 
the river and swam to the opposite shore. 
Having entered a country with which he was 
entirely unfamiliar, he planned to recon- 
noiter the hostile camp from a safe distance. 
Making his way with great caution until he 
was about opposite the spot where he sup- 
posed his enemies to be encamped, the wily 
young scout sank to his hands and knees and 
crawled into the fringe of bushes which lined 
the water. Peering carefully between the 
branches, he saw the dim outlines of three 
overturned canoes on the opposite shore. 

A short time later a solitary warrior 
emerged from the shadows of the forest. He 
crossed the narrow beach and threw himself 
down at the edge of the water to drink. Then, 
as he rose and looked across the river. Silver 
10 


SILVER CLOUD, THE DELAWARE 

Cloud recognized him as one of the warriors 
he had seen on the previous day. The Iro- 
quois spent a few moments studying the Del- 
aware canoe, and then he turned and disap- 
peared into the woods. 

Silver Cloud saw a column of blue smoke 
rising above the tops of the evergreens, and he 
knew that the Iroquois were broiling meat. 
The thought made him hungry, and he opened 
a small buckskin bag and ate the last of some 
parched corn which he had brought from the 
Delaware village. As the Iroquois were par- 
taking of a hearty meal, he felt quite certain 
that the day’s journey would be a long one. It 
was evident that they were convinced their cap- 
tive had ventured upon their hunting-grounds 
alone, otherwise he knew they never would 
have permitted the telltale smoke signal to 
rise and betray them to any of his friends who 
might have been skulking about in the vicinity. 

Silver Cloud was greatly surprised to 
learn that the war-party numbered only four 
warriors. He could scarcely believe his eyes 
as he saw them appear on the opposite shore 
with the Delaware prisoner. Spotted Hawk 
had his arms bound behind his back, and his 
legs loosely bound with buckskin, which ren- 
dered all attempts to escape futile. At a sig- 
nal from one of his captors the prisoner seated 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 

himself in the center of his own canoe. Two 
warriors entered after him and paddled rap- 
idly up the river. One of the remaining 
warriors launched one of the Iroquois canoes 
and followed his companions. The fourth 
warrior, whom Silver Cloud now recognized 
as the younger of the two men he had seen 
previously, remained behind. He stood some 
moments looking up the river after his com- 
rades, and when they passed from view he, 
too, disappeared into the forest. 

The perplexed young Delaware had not ex- 
pected this manoeuver, and it greatly inter- 
fered with his plans for trailing Spotted Hawk 
and his captors. It was evident that the Iro- 
quois were taking no chances. Silver Cloud 
believed that they feared the presence of other 
Delawares in their domains, and to avoid be- 
ing followed and surprised by a larger war- 
party they had left one of their number to 
watch the river. 

Shortly after the Iroquois scout had en- 
tered the woods. Silver Cloud saw spasmodic 
puffs of smoke rising above the trees, and as 
they soon ceased he knew that the remaining 
warrior had beaten out the fire preparatory 
to leaving the camp-site. In fact, a few mo- 
ments afterward the Iroquois appeared on 
the opposite shore with his robe and his 
12 


SILVER CLOUD, THE DELAWARE 

weapons. The concealed Delaware had a 
second opportunity to kill one of his foes, 
with little peril to himself, but as on the 
former occasion he refrained. The unsus- 
pecting Iroquois carried the remaining canoe 
to the water. Then after he had glanced 
carelessly across the water he entered the 
canoe and paddled swiftly down the river. 

As soon as he had passed from sight. Silver 
Cloud left his place of concealment and hur- 
ried away on the trail of Spotted Hawk. 
Crossing mountains, circling about the bor- 
ders of impassable swamps, and wading swift- 
running streams, the nimble-footed lad finally 
came in sight of the Iroquois. He followed 
them for many weary hours, until at the end 
of the day they entered a long lane of boiling 
rapids and shot ahead at a speed which soon 
carried them from his sight. 

However, Silver Cloud continued resolutely 
on the trail. Long after it was dark he sud- 
denly caught the odor of burning wood and 
he realized that at last he had overtaken his 
foes. Aware that he was close to the hostile 
camp, he turned from the river and began a 
cautious reconnoissance to locate the Iro- 
quois fires. When he finally discovered them 
from the summit of a low ridge, he fitted an 
arrow to his bow and began a daring advance 

13 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


upon his enemies. Alert to his peril, Silver 
Cloud stole through the dark as stealthily as 
a panther creeping upon its prey. At last he 
came within sight of the blazing fires, and as 
he saw many shadows flitting across the illu- 
minated tree-trunks, he believed that he had 
found the main camp of the Iroquois. 

Determined to investigate, the daring lad 
planned to approach still closer to the camp. 
He was anxious to know whether Spotted 
Hawk and his captors were with this tribe. 
His petty jealousy toward his rival had sud- 
denly vanished, and a splendid feeling of 
loyalty for his fellow-tribesman had taken its 
place. He determined, therefore, to risk his 
life in an attempt to rescue Spotted Hawk 
from the Iroquois. 

Dropping close to the earth. Silver Cloud 
crawled cautiously toward the alluring circle 
of light. Stopping frequently to listen, he 
Anally reached a sheltered position from which 
he could inspect the entire camp. As he saw 
many women and children, he knew at once 
that this was a permanent village. About 
the Are sat a circle of stern-faced warriors, lis- 
tening to one of their number who, from his 
gestures, seemed to be telling some interesting 
tale of adventure. The speaker stood with his 
back toward Silver Cloud, and the latter care- 
14 


SILVER CLOUD, THE DELAWARE 

fully moved to a new position so that he 
might see his face. Then his heart beat ex- 
citedly, for he recognized the boastful narrator 
as one of the little company who had captured 
Spotted Hawk. 

A moment later Silver Cloud discovered the 
unfortunate prisoner himself, sitting a short 
distance apart from his foes. Around him 
were gathered the women and children, and 
the older boys of the camp, and it was evident 
that he was being made the target for all sorts 
of rude jests and insults. 

Silver Cloud felt the hot fighting blood of 
his people rushing to his head. He under- 
stood enough of the boastful tale being told 
to the circle of warriors to guess the manner 
of Spotted Hawk’s attack. Paddle in hand, 
the latter had been on the point of stepping 
from his canoe when the concealed Iroquois 
rushed from cover and overpowered him. In 
the scuffle which followed, the canoe had 
drifted away unnoticed. The tale was retold 
times without number, and Silver Cloud had 
little doubt that the narrators were doing full 
justice to their own courage and ability. 

When the fires finally dwindled to beds of 
glowing embers the warriors rose and dis- 
persed to the lodges. Then the reckless young 
scout crawled still nearer to the camp. His 
15 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


eyes glowed threateningly as he saw two stal- 
wart guards pull the Delaware prisoner to his 
feet and push him roughly into one of the bark 
lodges. They entered after him, and Silver 
Cloud’s heart filled with despair as he realized 
that the prisoner was to be closely guarded. 

With a last feeble flicker the fire in the 
center of the village went out. Then dark- 
ness smothered the camp. The night-hush 
had fallen upon the wilderness, and all was 
still. The lithe, active body of the young Del- 
aware moved slowly over the ground, drawing 
nearer and nearer to the bark-covered lodge 
which sheltered Spotted Hawk and his guards. 
At last Silver Cloud saw the dark outline of 
the prison looming up within bow-shot of him. 
He stopped to listen. All was still, and the 
daring scout wriggled slowly forward under 
cover of the night. When he finally reached 
his goal he crawled to the entrance of the 
lodge and strained his ears to catch the faint- 
est sound from within. 

Silver Cloud felt sure that Spotted Hawk 
would remain awake long after his guards had 
fallen asleep, and, relying on this, he bided his 
time. However, as he heard nothing to alarm 
him, and fearing that further delay might be 
fatal to his chances, he drew his knife and 
crept boldly into the lodge. 

i6 


SILVER CLOUD, THE DELAWARE 

Once inside the prison, the young Delaware 
crouched in the dark, not daring to move 
until the deep, measured breathing of the in- 
mates assured him that two, at least, were 
sleeping heavily. As his sharp eyes accus- 
tomed themselves to the gloom he made out 
three indistinct forms lying side by side. 
Which was Spotted Hawk he had no way of 
determining. As he watched, however, the 
middle figure appeared to move slightly, and, 
watching closely. Silver Cloud saw the wake- 
ful one’s head rise slowly and drop back 
quickly as one of the other sleepers stirred. 

The manoeuver gave the young Delaware 
hope. It might be that Spotted Hawk had 
seen him enter the lodge and, hoping that it 
was a friend, had endeavored to give him a 
sign of recognition. At any rate. Silver Cloud 
determined to risk his life on the chance. 

After watching the guards for further signs 
of wakefulness, and assuring himself that they 
were slumbering peacefully, the young Del- 
aware crept forward, knife in hand. Once at 
the feet of the sleepers he paused, ready to 
sink his weapon in the hearts of the Iroquois 
at the first sign of waking. While he hesi- 
tated the middle figure slowly raised his head 
and then sank down between his companions. 
It was the final clue for which Silver Cloud 
2 17 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


had been waiting, and without a moment’s 
delay he severed the thongs which bound the 
feet and legs of the captive. Then, as Spotted 
Hawk leaned forward. Silver Cloud stooped 
over and freed his arms. This accomplished, 
he gave Spotted Hawk his own bow and 
quiver, and waited with bated breath while 
the captive wriggled cautiously from between 
his guards. A moment afterward the two 
young Delawares passed from the Iroquois 
lodge as silently as shadows. 

Once at the river, they found and launched 
their own canoe. Not a word had been spoken 
during the entire rescue, and not until they 
were speeding safely down the river toward 
their own village did Spotted Hawk turn and 
clasp the hand of Silver Cloud in a crushing 
grasp of gratitude. 


II 


SKY BIRD, THE IROQUOIS 

S KY BIRD, the Iroquois, had heard his 
people tell of the wonderful country of the 
Chippewas ; of the lakes teeming with fish, the 
forests filled with game, and the great moun- 
tains, the abode of the Thunder Bird. Al- 
though but a lad, Sky Bird determined to go 
and verify these tales. He spent a night in 
prayer with old Yellow Bear, the medicine- 
man, and at dawn he began his venturesome 
journey. 

Sky Bird traveled leisurely, for spring had 
come to the wilderness and there was much 
to enjoy. The forest throbbed with the music 
of the birds; the balmy air was heavy with 
the fragrance of wild fiowers, and the river was 
packed with fish. The Great Spirit had filled 
the world with blessings, and the appreciative 
young Iroquois raised his hands toward the 
heavens and gave thanks. 

He traveled boldly along beside the river, 
19 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


for he was in the hunting-grounds of his peo- 
ple and there was nothing to fear. A red- 
tailed hawk circled above the trees, and Sky 
Bird stopped to watch it. As its harsh cry 
reached his ears he shook his bow and called 
a greeting. 

''Ah, my brother, you, too, know that the 
world is good. Go in peace, and tell your 
people that you have seen the mighty warrior. 
Sky Bird.’^ 

At the end of the day he surprised a doe 
drinking at the river. He could have pierced 
the helpless creature with his arrows, but he 
refrained. Sky Bird knew that at this season 
she had a fawn concealed somewhere in the 
forest, and he spared her life. He whistled, 
and the doe raised her head and looked for 
the danger. The great ears were thrust for- 
ward, and the sensitive nose was raised into 
the wind. She found the danger scent and 
fled into the forest. The Iroquois laughed and 
called after her: 

"Go, my sister, and tell your young one 
that the mighty warrior. Sky Bird, has spared 
your life.” 

Darkness was creeping on, and Sky Bird 
entered the forest and made a small fire. He 
cleaned and cooked two squirrels, which he 
had killed with bis arrows. Then, after he 


SKY BIRD, THE IROQUOIS 

had eaten, he returned to the river to watch 
and to listen. 

Wrapping his robe closely about him, the 
alert young Iroquois concealed himself in the 
heavy shadows at the edge of the timber. 
The night was calm and still, and he turned 
his eyes to the wide lane of star-studded sky 
above the river. Dreamily he traced the 
misty white trail which led to the Spirit Land. 
Then a fish jumped, and his thoughts were 
diverted. He lowered his eyes to the river. 
The heavens were reflected in its tranquil 
depths. Was there also a spirit trail beneath 
the water? He wondered. In the distance an 
owl hooted. A lynx screamed from the op- 
posite shore. Then a bird sang a wonderful 
night song. And then, except for the peace- 
ful soughing of the breeze in the pine-tops, all 
was quiet. Sky Bird rose and went to his fire. 

The night passed without alarm, and at 
sunrise he resumed his journey. As he con- 
tinued, the river became narrower, and he 
entered a splendid forest of spruce and pine. 
Sky Bird believed he was at the. border of the 
Chippewa hunting-grounds, and he became 
more cautious. He had planned to follow the 
river to its source, and to spend a day or so 
hunting through the region about its head- 
waters. 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


Late in the day, as he was climbing a hard- 
wood ridge, he saw many little birch-bark 
receptacles fastened to the trees. The truth 
instantly flashed into his mind, and his heart 
began to beat wildly. He had come upon a 
camp of Chippewa sap-gatherers. Sky Bird 
recalled the stories his father had told of the 
ceremony which the Chippewas conducted 
each spring. Realizing his peril, the young 
Iroquois hurried to the summit of the ridge. 
He saw what appeared to be a large swamp 
at the base of the opposite slope. But before 
he had begun to descend an arrow hummed 
past his head and the Chippewa war-cry rang 
in his ears. 

Aware that he had been discovered by one 
of the sap-gatherers, Sky Bird retreated to- 
ward the swamp. The warning cry of his 
discoverer was answered by shouts from far- 
ther along the ridge, and the Iroquois knew 
that the entire party of Chippewas would join 
in his pursuit. He felt more confident when 
he gained the border of the swamp, and he 
lost little time in burying himself deep in its 
isolated confines. 

The Chippewas, however, were determined 
to transform his shelter into a trap, and, in- 
stead of following him, they scattered and 
surrounded the swamp. As their cries sounded 
22 


SKY BIRD, THE IROQUOIS 

on all sides of him, Sky Bird’s heart filled with 
despair. He realized that he had blundered; 
he should have retreated toward the river. 
But it was too late for regrets, and he looked 
about him for a hiding-place. Sheltering him- 
self between two fallen trees, he fitted an ar- 
row to his bow and waited for his pursuers. 

As the light finally faded and darkness 
settled beneath the trees his hopes revived. 
He realized, however, that to escape capture 
or death he must leave his hiding-place and 
reach the river. Sky Bird was about to make 
the attempt, when he heard sounds which 
aroused his suspicions and caused him to hes- 
itate. He heard the call of an owl behind him, 
and an answering signal from his right. Then 
a twig snapped nearer at hand, and the Iro- 
quois knew that one of the searchers was 
approaching. 

Sky Bird crept from between the trees and 
stole away in the direction of the river. He 
moved with the stealth and caution of a lynx, 
for he realized that the slightest sound would 
betray him. The hoarse yapping of a fox 
sounded directly in front of him, and he 
stopped. He waited until he had allowed the 
searcher sufficient time to pass on, and then 
he altered his course and continued his peril- 
ous retreat. He had not gone far, however, 
23 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


before he was again halted by the sound of 
subdued voices. He sheltered himself behind 
a tree and listened. The speakers were ap- 
proaching. Sky Bird held his breath as three 
dim forms passed within bow-length of him. 
When they had gone a sudden weakness 
seized him and he began to tremble violently. 
He realized that he had escaped death by the 
narrowest margin, and, as this was his first 
war trail, the thought unnerved him. But a 
moment later he drove the fear from his heart 
and resumed his way. 

The young Iroquois finally reached the bor- 
der of the swamp in safety, and, elated at his 
success, he turned and shook his bow at the 
enemies he had outwitted. His triumph was 
short-lived, however, for at that instant the 
Chippewa war-cry rang through the night and 
Sky Bird was thrown to the ground. He 
found himself in the clutches of a giant, and 
his struggle was useless. Sinewy fingers closed 
about his throat, and, realizing that further 
resistance might bring on his death, the 
Iroquois lad surrendered. 

Having subdued his young captive, the 
Chippewa gave him to understand that an 
attempt to escape would end fatally. Then 
he called his companions, and Sky Bird was 
surrounded by a group of jeering warriors. 

24 


SKY BIRD, THE IROQUOIS 

Some of them spoke the Iroquois dialect, and 
Sky Bird was sharply questioned. However, 
he refused to reply to their insults and pre- 
tended to misunderstand most of their ques- 
tions. 

The Chippewas took their prisoner to a 
temporary camp beside the river. He saw a 
number of old squaws boiling sap, and as they 
caught sight of him they began to cackle glee- 
fully. Sky Bird knew that a fierce and bloody 
feud of long standing existed between these 
people and the Iroquois, and he had little 
doubt that he would be made to suffer for it. 
His captors led him into the firelight, so that 
the entire camp might look upon him. But 
Sky Bird stood the ordeal manfully, with head 
erect, eyes blazing defiance, and a scornful 
smile on his face. Only when a youth ran for- 
ward and struck him with a stick did he lose 
control of himself. Then he became so threat- 
ening that a warrior crossed his hands behind 
his back and bound them together with buck- 
skin. 

That night Sky Bird slept in the center of a 
circle of Chippewa warriors. A chilling vapor 
rose from the river, and the Iroquois missed 
the genial warmth of his covering; his captor 
had confiscated both his weapons and his 
robe. He rolled nearer the glowing embers 
2 $ 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


of the camp-fire, and several Chippewas raised 
their heads suspiciously. Sky Bird realized 
that for the present escape was impossible. 
What they might do with him the following 
day he had no idea. Perhaps they would keep 
him as a prisoner, with the idea of eventually 
adopting him into the tribe; perhaps they 
would revenge themselves for many stinging 
defeats at the hands of his people. 

Sky Bird awakened at daylight, and found 
the camp astir. While the squaws cooked the 
morning meal the warriors gathered in coun- 
cil, a short distance from the prisoner. The 
young Iroquois believed he was the subject of 
their discussion. Possibly they were decid- 
ing his fate. 

He sat up and looked about him. The river 
was within bow-shot, and he knew there must 
be canoes drawn up along the shore. Sky 
Bird determined to dash for the water at the 
first opportunity. He believed they would un- 
bind his hands to allow him to eat, and if they 
did he would make his daring attempt at 
escape. Then he realized that he had no 
weapons. Without them he would be entirely 
at the mercy of his pursuers. But even this 
fact did not weaken his bold resolve. 

At the call of an old squaw the warriors 
ended the talk and walked toward the fire. 

26 


SKY BIRD, THE IROQUOIS 

Two turned aside and sat down beside the 
prisoner. A squaw brought them food and 
they ate heartily, while Sky Bird watched 
them with hungry eyes. He wondered if they 
intended to weaken him by starvation. But 
when all had partaken of the food his guards 
motioned him to rise and go to the fire. Then 
they freed his hands and commanded him to 
eat. But half a score of alert warriors kept 
guard over him, and his carefully planned 
stratagem came to naught. 

When he had eaten his scanty ration they 
again bound his hands behind him, and Sky 
Bird realized that his opportunity had passed. 
Then four warriors led him toward the river, 
and the Iroquois knew that they had been 
detailed to take him to the Chippewa vil- 
lage and deliver him to the chief. He went 
willingly, as he hoped for an opportunity 
to escape before they reached their destina- 
tion. 

The captive saw two canoes in readiness for 
the journey, and others drawn up on the 
shore. Sky Bird seated himself in the center 
of the first canoe, and was paddled up the 
river. The second canoe followed them, a 
paddle-length in the rear. The current was 
sluggish, and as there were no rapids they 
made good headway. 

27 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


At the end of the day they went ashore, 
and, much to Sky Bird’s delight, they un- 
bound his hands and commanded him to 
gather wood for the fire. As he went about 
his task, however, he was followed by one 
of his captors, who watched his every move 
and held an arrow ready for instant use. 
The temptation was a strong one, and the 
Iroquois trembled with eagerness. Several 
times he sought to lead his guard from the 
sight of his companions, but each time he 
was called back. 

Then, when all hope of escape had gone, 
his opportunity came. A deer flashed into 
view and the Chippewa yielded to tempta- 
tion and sent his arrow through its heart. 
Before he could draw another arrow from his 
quiver Sky Bird threw himself upon him. He 
felled him with a heavy piece of wood, and, 
securing his bow and most of his arrows, he 
fled into the forest before the other Chip- 
pewas recovered from their amazement. 

When he believed he had gained a safe lead. 
Sky Bird circled back toward the camp he had 
left at sunrise. He traveled steadily through- 
out the night, and at daylight he came in sight 
of his goal. The Iroquois wondered if his 
baffled pursuers had returned to give warning 
of his escape. He doubted, for he believed 
28 


SKY BIRD, THE IROQUOIS 

they would make a thorough search before ex- 
posing themselves to censure and ridicule. 
His heart filled with hope as he saw the war- 
riors leave the camp. He knew they were 
going to gather sap and would not return 
until the end of the day. 

Believing himself safe, Sky Bird hastened 
to the river, and, concealed from the camp, he 
ran boldly to the canoes. He launched the 
first one and was about to step into it when 
he heard a warning cry from the top of the 
bank. He looked up and saw a squaw wav- 
ing wildly toward the camp. Her screams 
were redoubled as he sent the canoe into the 
current and shook his bow. Then as he 
paddled rapidly down the river he heard a 
wild chorus of shouts and shrieks, and he knew 
that the squaws were calling back the war- 
riors. 

However, by the time they had returned 
and started in pursuit of him. Sky Bird was 
a long distance on his journey. In spite of 
their efforts they were unable to overtake him, 
and, being afraid to follow him into Iroquois 
territory, the second day they abandoned the 
pursuit. 

At sunset Sky Bird rose proudly in the 
Chippewa canoe and sounded the Iroquois 
war-cry, for he was in sight of his own yillaget 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


The people hurried to the river, and welcomed 
him with shouts of approval. That night he 
told his story at the council fire, and the Iro- 
quois sang and danced until daylight to cel- 
ebrate his victory over the Chippewas. 


Ill 


THE GRATITUDE OF LAME DEER 

T he weird, quavering cry of a loon echoed 
through the night, and Spotted Beaver 
stopped his canoe to listen. He waited some 
moments before the call was repeated, and 
then he again heard it on the opposite side of 
the lake. It roused his suspicions and filled 
him with alarm, for he feared it was a signal. 
Dipping his paddle noiselessly into the water, 
he pushed his canoe into the heavy shadows 
at the edge of the shore. Then he waited anx- 
iously to learn if his fears were real. 

In a few moments an answering cry rose 
through the night, a short distance ahead of 
him. The lad’s keen ears told him that it was 
a counterfeit, and his heart bounded at the 
thought. He realized that his fears were true 
— ^he was in the midst of his enemies, the 
Iroquois. For a moment the idea filled him 
with panic. He knew that he was in much 
peril and that he must use great caution 
31 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


to escape capture and death at the hands of 
his foes. 

Spotted Beaver was undecided just what 
to do. If he remained on the lake until 
daylight he felt quite sure he would be dis- 
covered. On the other hand, to attempt to 
retrace his course seemed equally dangerous. 
The lad was in a frenzy of doubt. He realized 
that every moment of delay increased his 
peril, for the night was more than half gone 
and daylight might betray him to his foes. 
The young Delaware knew, therefore, that 
whatever he decided to do must be done at 
once. 

Having determined to hide somewhere along 
the edge of the lake. Spotted Beaver paddled 
cautiously along in the shelter of the shadows 
from the forest. He had not gone far when 
he heard an owl hooting, a short distance back 
in the woods, and he stopped in alarm. Per- 
haps it was another signal. However, as he 
heard it a second time he was assured that 
the call was genuine, and he proceeded on his 
way. A short distance beyond he heard a 
twig snap close to the water, and again he 
stopped to listen. Although he strained his 
ears to catch the first warning of danger, he 
heard nothing but the night-wind sighing 
through the trees. Convinced, therefore, that 
32 


THE GRATITUDE OF LAME DEER 


the sound had been made by some four-footed 
night prowler of the wilderness, the lad dis- 
missed his fears. 

Spotted Beaver had not taken five paddle- 
strokes, however, before a canoe flashed out 
of the darkness and crashed into his own. He 
was promptly capsized, and before he could 
rise to his feet in the shallow water he found 
himself overpowered by several stalwart Iro- 
quois warriors. They pulled him to his knees 
and bound his arms behind him. Then they 
led him to the shore. 

A fire was lighted, and its light showed 
Spotted Beaver that he was in the hands of a 
large war-party. Judging from the calls and 
signals which were rising from all parts of the 
lake, the captive knew that many other war- 
riors were scattered through the woods. It 
was evident that the Iroquois believed he 
was without friends in the vicinity, as they 
made no attempt to conceal themselves. 
Spotted Beaver felt quite sure, therefore, that 
he had been discovered and followed earlier 
in the day. He had little hope of saving his 
life, for he knew full well the enmity that ex- 
isted between his own tribe and the people 
into whose hands he had fallen. He felt quite 
confident that, once the absent members of the 
war-party arrived, his tortures would begin. 

3 33 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


As if to give reality to his fears, his captors 
began to taunt and abuse him. Several struck 
him across the face with their open palms, but 
Spotted Beaver maintained a stolid indiffer- 
ence. The courageous lad scorned to exhibit 
either wrath or fear in the presence of his en- 
emies, for he knew that to lose his self-control 
would be fatal. 

Unable to aggravate him, his tormentors 
finally left him in the care of two evil-looking 
guards and withdrew to hold a council. The 
talk was fast and animated, and as the 
speakers turned angry threatening glances 
upon the captive, the latter believed that his 
fate was the topic of discussion. He watched 
them anxiously, and from their manner he 
felt quite certain that his doom was sealed. 
Spotted Beaver felt almost sure that death 
at the torture-stake would be his penalty for 
venturing into their domain. 

While the Iroquois were still in the midst 
of their heated discussion, the other members 
of the war-party began to appear. As each 
new arrival took his place in the council circle 
the talk was begun anew, and Spotted Beaver 
began to wonder whether his captors intended 
to spend the balance of the night arguing upon 
his fate. He was surprised to learn the great 
strength of the Iroquois war-party, for he had 
34 


THE GRATITUDE OF LAME DEER 


supposed himself in danger from only a few 
scattered hunters. He realized, therefore, 
that he had approached nearer to the Iroquois 
village than he had intended, and he saw the 
folly of having ventured upon such a perilous 
journey alone. However, it was too late for 
regrets, and he felt that he must nerve him- 
self to make the best of his unfortunate pre- 
dicament. 

When the council was finally adjourned 
Spotted Beaver was given to understand that 
he was to be spared until the following day. 
Thankful for even this brief respite, the un- 
happy lad lay down between two of his cap- 
tors, and soon pretended to fall asleep. How- 
ever, his alert brain continued to search for a 
way to aid him out of his difficulty. 

With the first hint of dawn the Iroquois 
were astir, and Spotted Beaver felt certain 
that they were preparing to take him to the 
Iroquois village. He had little doubt that, 
once he arrived there, his death would be only 
a matter of moments. However, the thought 
was soon driven from his mind, for at that 
instant his two guards approached and cut 
the buckskin thongs which bound his ankles. 
Then, cuffing him about the head and face 
with their open hands, they ordered him to 
rise. The pain in his legs was intense, for the 
35 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


buckskin had been drawn so tight that circu- 
lation had been stopped. Now, as the con- 
gested blood forced its way through the 
clogged veins, the youthful captive suffered 
extreme agony. Aware of his plight, the two 
warriors forced him to jump and stamp his 
feet, and laughed in glee as they saw his tor- 
ture appear in his face. 

Then the helpless lad was taken to the fire, 
where great pieces of half-cooked meat were 
forced into his mouth, greatly to the amuse- 
ment of the company. He managed to pass 
through the ordeal without choking, and then, 
after having been struck and otherwise an- 
noyed by his jeering captors, he was led to the 
lake. The Iroquois canoes were drawn up 
along the shore, and Spotted Beaver was com- 
manded to enter one of them. When he had 
taken his place the entire company departed 
for the Iroquois village. 

The water sparkled in the glorious sun- 
light, birds sang at the edge of the woods, fish 
played before the canoes, and the paddlers 
sang and laughed with light-hearted gaiety. 
All the world seemed happy, and the young 
Delaware realized that he was alone in his 
despair. He thought of the previous day, 
when he, too, had been free and happy. Now 
he was a prisoner on the way to his death, 
36 


THE GRATITUDE OF LAME DEER 


The thought depressed him and overwhelmed 
his heart with sadness. He wondered if he 
would be lamented by his tribe. He felt cer- 
tain that his aged father, Big Otter, would 
mourn for him, and his younger brother, too, 
whom he loved dearly, would surely miss him. 
The thought suddenly filled him with a desire 
to live, for the world seemed very beautiful. 

Then sterner thoughts took possession of 
his mind, and he despised himself as one lack- 
ing both wisdom and courage. He remem- 
bered the previous winter when he had rescued 
a disabled young Iroquois from a pack of 
wolves that had surrounded him on the open 
ice of the river. He recalled how he had 
spared the life of his hereditary foe and, hav- 
ing nursed him back to strength, had given 
him food and his own warm robe, and sent 
him safely home to his people. Now he re- 
gretted the gallant deed. How simple he had 
been! 

He should have done as his people did, and 
as the Iroquois did, as they now intended to 
do with him — kill an enemy whenever and 
wherever the opportunity occurred. He 
laughed at his weakness. This was his thanks 
for saving the life of a hated foe. The same 
people, friends of the very one whom he had 
saved, were now carrying him to their village, 
37 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


that the entire tribe might share in his tor- 
tures and death. He had been as lacking in 
wisdom as a papoose, as weak as a woman, 
and now he would pay the penalty. 

Then the warriors who shared the canoe 
with him began to taunt him. They laughed 
fiendishly as they described the horrors await- 
ing him once he reached their village, and 
told how he would die crying for mercy. 
When the unhappy captive smiled scornfully, 
one of the warriors struck him a stinging blow 
across the head with his paddle. 

Only the savage glare in his eyes gave warn- 
ing of the rage which had been kindled in the 
Delaware's heart. He turned slowly and 
looked fearlessly into the eyes of the man who 
had struck him. Spotted Beaver knew better 
than to do more. To have given way to his 
anger would have exposed him to still more 
vicious treatment at the hands of his guards. 

V/hen they finally arrived at the Iroquois 
village the youthful captive was dragged 
roughly from the canoe and hustled to the 
center of the camp. The news of his arrival 
soon spread and in a few moments he was sur- 
rounded by the excited occupants of the 
village. They shouted insults, shook their 
fists in his face, and, aware of his helplessness, 
began to strike and abuse him. Then they 
38 


THE GRATITUDE OF LAME DEER 


suddenly fell back and opened a path for a 
tall, dignified warrior who made his way to 
the prisoner. Confronting the undaunted 
Delaware, the Iroquois gazed intently into 
his face, and then he laughed contemptuously 
and walked away. 

From the manner and dress of the warrior 
who had just approached him Spotted Beaver 
believed that he was a person of great impor- 
tance, and he wondered if he were the famous 
Iroquois chief. Thunder Cloud, of whom he 
had heard so many wonderful tales. 

The Iroquois called his warriors in council, 
and Spotted Beaver was left under guard of 
two young braves who took keen satisfaction 
in annoying him. Finding their taunts and 
insults of no avail, they began to beat and 
maul him. One of them even attempted to 
poke his fingers into the eyes of the helpless 
captive. Spotted Beaver's hands were tightly 
bound behind him, but his feet were free, and, 
driven into a wild rage, he raised his leg and 
thrust his foot in the pit of his annoy er’s 
stomach with such force that he sent him 
sprawling. 

Bounding to his feet in a fury, the enraged 
Iroquois sprang toward Spotted Beaver, in- 
tending to drive his upraised knife into his 
heart. Before he could commit the deed, how- 
39 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


ever, the alert chief, who had been an amused 
spectator, leaped forward with the agility of 
a panther and threw the astonished youth 
to the ground. Thoroughly crestfallen and 
ashamed at this second humiliation in the 
eyes of his friends, the young warrior rose 
and slunk away. 

However, if the unfortunate prisoner hoped 
to gain a respite by this bold act he was 
doomed to disappointment, for a new guard 
was immediately appointed to watch him. 
This warrior, a great, stalwart fellow, appar- 
ently intended to profit by the misfortune of 
his predecessor, for he produced a long coil of 
rawhide and proceeded to bind the captive’s 
feet. When he had completed the task with 
unnecessary severity, he threw Spotted Beaver 
to the ground, where he lay helpless. 

Emboldened by his plight, the squaws led 
the children to him and urged them to beat 
him with small sticks. They laughed in great 
glee at the sport, and no doubt would have 
eventually blinded and perhaps even killed 
him had not the chief again interfered in his 
behalf. That stern warrior dispersed the tor- 
mentors and apparently made it plain to the 
two guards that their prisoner was not to be 
further annoyed. 

Soon afterward the discussion came to an 
40 


THE GRATITUDE OF LAME DEER 


end, and as the Iroquois showed unmistak- 
able signs of suppressed excitement, Spotted 
Beaver feared that he was about to receive 
the punishment that had been imposed upon 
him. The warriors left their places in the 
council and began to circle about him, sing- 
ing their war-songs and shaking their weapons 
over his prostrate form. Spotted Beaver en- 
dured it all with great calmness, for he was 
determined to show the boastful Iroquois that 
the Delawares were not to be intimidated by 
the threat of torture and death. 

Finding that their threats were unavailing 
against this stout-hearted young warrior, the 
Iroquois dragged him nearer the fire and tied 
him to a great log which had been set upright 
in the ground. Undismayed by this suggestive 
hint of what was in store for him. Spotted 
Beaver smiled a bold defiance at the frenzied 
warriors who were yelling and dancing about 
him. They bade him speak, that they might 
know if he was a man, but he refused the in- 
vitation with scorn. Enraged by his calm in- 
difference, they began to threaten him with 
their - knives. The warrior whom he had 
kicked made several vicious lunges within a 
few inches of the captive's throat. The lad 
met his eyes unflinchingly, however, and the 
Iroquois were compelled to admire his courage. 
41 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


Then they left him, and Spotted Beaver 
wondered what his next ordeal would be. In 
a few moments he saw the Iroquois chief ap- 
proaching him. The young Delaware was a 
handsome lad, and he saw the Iroquois gazing 
with approval at his lithe and sinewy figme. 
Then this distinguished warrior began to speak 
to him in the Delaware dialect. 

The Iroquois told Spotted Beaver that it 
was foolish to venture alone into the country 
of his enemies, and he assured him that he 
could expect no mercy. He told the lad that 
what he had already borne was not to be com- 
pared with the tortures which were still re- 
served for him. He warned him that the 
hearts of the Iroquois were very black against 
the ^‘Delaware dogs,’' and that their wrath 
would be poured out upon the unfortunate 
captive in their possession. He reminded him 
that as yet he was practically unhurt, but 
that in a .short time he would be terribly 
maimed and wounded, but that death would 
not come to his relief until the Iroquois had 
forced him to cringe before them and plead 
for mercy. Then they would laugh at his 
cowardice and would cut him to pieces with 
their knives and feed his body to their dogs. 
Having made these sinister threats, the chief 
ceased speaking, and glared threateningly into 
42 


THE GRATITUDE OF LAME DEER 


the face of the prisoner to note the effect of 
his words. 

Spotted Beaver remained unmoved. He 
waited some moments to convince the Iro- 
quois of his indifference, and then he replied. 
He said that he had heard many boastful 
threats, but that to a Delaware they were like 
the idle prattle of a papoose. He declared 
that Spotted Beaver laughed at them. He re- 
minded him that Delaware hearts were strong, 
like the rocks; that one might split them 
piece by piece, but that the strongest man 
could not break them. He promised to laugh 
at their efforts to make him yield, and to die 
singing the war-song of his people. He 
boasted that never yet had a Delaware asked 
mercy of an Iroquois. Then he said he was 
ready, and, laughing mockingly, he invited 
.them to begin the torture. 

For some moments after this fearless reply 
the Iroquois remained silent, but the heaving 
of his bosom, the contraction of his eyes, and 
the swelling of the muscles in his powerful 
neck all gave timely warning of the wrath 
which had been kindled in his heart. He 
waited until he had regained control of him- 
self, and then he again addressed the prisoner. 
He said that he was none other than the great 
chief Thunder Cloud. He declared that his 
43 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


people obediently accepted his counsel and 
faithfully followed his orders. Thimder Cloud 
again warned Spotted Beaver that the hearts 
of the Iroquois were black with anger. Then 
he proceeded to unfold a malicious plot for 
using the lad as a spy and a traitor against 
his own people. In return for his infidelity 
the Iroquois chief promised him life, liberty, 
and adoption into the tribe. He told his 
story with great cleverness, gradually leading 
up to the part Spotted Beaver was expected 
to play in return for his freedom. 

Thunder Cloud said that many years ago 
he had been at war with a large band .of Del- 
awares who were led by a famous chief. He 
boasted that in almost every battle the Iro- 
quois had been successful, and he declared 
that many Delaware scalps hung in the great 
Iroquois medicine-lodge. Thunder Cloud ex- 
plained that the Delaware chief finally organ- 
ized a very large war-party and raided the 
Iroquois camp, recovering the scalps of his 
own people and carrying away many Iroquois 
scalps in revenge, including those of the 
speaker’s father and brother. The Iroquois 
chief declared that he had led many war- 
parties against the Delaware village, but the 
wily Delaware chief always learned of his 
coming in time to lead his people from the 
44 


THE GRATITUDE OF LAME DEER 


danger. He said the name of the famous old 
chief was Big Otter, and that he would give 
power and wealth to the warrior who would 
bring him the scalp of his hated rival. He 
promised, therefore, to give Spotted Beaver 
his freedom and a position of prominence in 
the Iroquois council circle if he would entice 
the old chief and a company of his warriors 
into ambush, so that the Iroquois might slay 
them. He told the lad he would wait until 
sunset for his answer. 

For some moments Spotted Beaver re- 
mained speechless, while his flashing eyes 
threatened the speaker. Then, fairly trem- 
bling with rage, he hurled his answer at the 
astounded Iroquois chief. He told him that 
he. Spotted Beaver, was the son of that famous 
Delaware chief. Big Otter. He boasted that 
at that very moment the latter probably was 
leading a great war-party to rescue his son. 
The lad warned his foe that the Delawares 
would speedily annihilate the entire Iroquois 
camp. Then he laughed at the Iroquois’s 
threats, and ridiculed the offer of the noted 
chief as the prattle of a papoose. Spotted 
Beaver got no further with his reply, for the 
enraged Iroquois snatched a war-club from 
the hands of a warrior and struck the Dela- 
ware a blow which rendered him insensible, 

45 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


When the prisoner finally regained his senses 
he found himself surrounded by the entire 
company of warriors, who seemed to be anx- 
iously awaiting his return to consciousness. 
It was evident that they intended to make 
him pay dearly for his insult to their chief. 
The wily young Delaware instantly closed 
his eyes and feigned unconsciousness, but the 
sharp-witted Iroquois were not so easily fooled. 
They had already freed him from the stake, 
and now they dragged him to his feet and 
rushed him to the spot chosen for his exe- 
cution. 

Spotted Beaver realized that his end was 
close at hand, and he rallied his confused 
senses and nerved himself to die as one of his 
people should die — as his venerable father, 
whom even Thunder Cloud feared, would have 
him die — like a man. Therefore, when the 
Iroquois had ceased to push him about, he 
drew himself up proudly and faced his foes 
with scorn and courage. His fearless glance 
rested on each face in the wild assemblage, 
and the Iroquois read his hate in his eyes. 

Then the Delaware turned his attention 
upon a new-comer, who seemed to have just 
entered the village. He was a lad about the 
age of Spotted Beaver himself, and as he 
caught sight of the captive he crowded eagerly 
46 


THE GRATITUDE OF LAME DEER 


forward, with his keen black eyes fixed in- 
tently on those of the prisoner. As he drew 
near, Spotted Beaver's heart gave a great 
bound of hope, for he recognized him as Lame 
Deer, the young Iroquois whom he had res- 
cued from the wolves. 

The new arrival went directly to Thunder 
Cloud and engaged the Iroquois chief in 
earnest conversation. From the unrestrained, 
familiar manner in which he talked with the 
older warrior Spotted Beaver believed that 
Lame Deer was a person of some importance. 
There was nothing in his manner, however, 
to indicate any interest in the captive, and 
the young Delaware had been too well schooled 
in the art of diplomacy to proclaim his recog- 
nition of the lad whose appearance had filled 
him with hope. 

Lame Deer had just returned from a mis- 
sion for his father. Thunder Cloud. Arriving 
at the village after an absence of five days, 
he had seen at once that something of impor- 
tance was taking place. Learning that his 
people were about to put a Delaware prisoner 
to the torture, the lad had hurried forward to 
have a look at the unhappy captive. Then, 
to his despair, he had suddenly recognized the 
prisoner as the loyal young Delaware who 
had saved his life. On that occasion Lame 
47 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


Deer had pledged undying friendship to his 
rescuer, and he now realized that the oppor- 
tunity to repay the debt was at hand. There- 
fore Lame Deer determined to save the Del- 
aware and send him safely away to his own 
people. 

However, the wily young Iroquois knew the 
folly of making a direct appeal in the prison- 
er’s behalf, and he determined to rely upon 
diplomacy. He felt equally confident that it 
would be useless to connect Spotted Beaver 
with the story of his rescue from the wolves. 
At this time his father would not listen, and 
it would be impossible to convince the people 
that the tale was true. They were mad with 
excitement and seemed determined to visit 
their hatred upon the helpless young captive, 
who was awaiting his end with the calm stoi- 
cism of his race. Lame Deer realized that he 
must act quickly to save him. 

While he was making inquiries from his 
father, therefore, the quick-witted lad was 
searching his brain for a way to help his 
friend. At last he hit upon a scheme. It 
was bold and hazardous, and exposed the 
Delaware to great peril, but even if it failed 
it offered Spotted Beaver a sure and speedy 
death in place of the tortures which were 
awaiting him. 


48 


THE GRATITUDE OF LAME DEER 

The warriors were already complaining of 
the delay, and demanding new tortures for the 
prisoner. Some were beating and pricking 
him with their knives. Lame Deer realized 
that there was not a moment to spare, for the 
people were in a frenzy and Spotted Beaver 
had been cut and bruised. Therefore, the 
loyal young warrior determined to act. War- 
club in hand, he rushed wrathfully toward the 
captive and began to insult and abuse him, 
while his eyes flashed a message which the 
Delaware was quick to interpret. Spotted 
Beaver quickly seized the opportunity which 
the other offered him. In a loud voice he 
hurled a defiant challenge at Lame Deer, and 
struggled violently at his bonds as though he 
would strike the object of his apparent hate. 
Several warriors sprang forward menacingly, 
but before they could harm the prisoner 
Lame Deer’s club had descended and knocked 
Spotted Beaver to the ground. 

The Iroquois were now beside themselves 
with fury and would certainly have hacked 
Spotted Beaver to pieces as he lay helpless 
before them, but the son of their chief barred 
their way and demanded to be heard. He had 
planned this trick to gain time, and so far he 
had been successful. As the crafty young 
Delaware pretended unconsciousness, there- 

4 49 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 

fore, his youthful ally began a bold harangue 
to the warriors. He began by abusing the 
Delaware, and promising to take terrible 
vengeance as soon as the latter awakened 
from his sleep. Lame Deer professed to be 
sorry for having allowed his wrath to inter- 
fere with the plans of his people, but he asked 
if there was one among them who would not 
have done likewise upon receiving such in- 
sults from a “Delaware dog.” He apparently 
roused himself into a frenzy, and even stooped 
and struck the prostrate form of the captive. 
Lame Deer claimed the right to be the first 
to attack the prisoner, because of his own 
humiliation at the hands of the Delaware. 
He said that as soon as the captive was able 
to stand before them that he. Lame Deer, 
would inflict such punishment as they had 
never witnessed. He drove his tomahawk 
deep into the painted post. Then he stooped 
and shook his knife before the upturned face 
of Spotted Beaver, promising to cut out the 
insulting tongue of the captive and feed it 
to the dogs. In fact, he acted his part so 
well that he completely fooled the people and 
gained his object. They agreed, therefore, to 
leave the captive in his charge, with the un- 
derstanding that Lame Deer would bring him 
to the torture-stake when they demanded it. 
so 


THE GRATITUDE OF LAME DEER 

Spotted Beaver still continued to feign un- 
consciousness. Fearful that Lame Deer might 
have killed him, and thus put an end to their 
sport, the Iroquois summoned one of their 
medicine-men to revive the prisoner. The 
man of mystery went through a very solemn 
ceremony in an effort to rouse the captive, 
but his efforts were, of course, in vain. Then 
the warriors became enraged, and Lame Deer 
had difficulty in restraining them from driving 
their arrows into the prostrate form. At last, 
after much valiant pleading, he persuaded 
them to wait until the following day at sun- 
rise, when they warned him they would attack 
the captive without further delay. Thankful 
for even this brief delay. Lame Deer told 
them that at that time he would deliver the 
prisoner into their hands. 

Soon afterward Lame Deer carried Spotted 
Beaver into his own lodge, and when he was 
sure that there was no one spying upon them 
he bade the Delaware open his eyes. The 
grateful lad obeyed the command, and then 
they conversed in low, guarded whispers, for 
Lame Deer fortunately understood the Del- 
aware dialect. He warned Spotted Beaver 
that it would be foolhardy to attempt to leave 
the camp during the night, as he had already 
reconnoitered, and found the village sur- 
51 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 

rounded by sentinels. Lame Deer said that 
even if he should escape, which was most 
improbable, then the people would imme- 
diately accuse the son of their chief and 
bring humiliation and disgrace upon Thunder 
Cloud himself. Then, having compelled Spot- 
ted Beaver to promise that he would neither 
lead a war-party to the Iroquois village or 
venture into their territory alone. Lame Deer 
outlined his daring plan to gain the Delaware 
his freedom. 

He said that at sunrise, which was now but 
a short time off, the people would congregate 
before the lodge and demand the prisoner. 
Then he planned to lead him out and 
take him to the center of the village. He 
promised Spotted Beaver that he would loose 
the buckskin thongs about his wrists, and 
told him as they neared the torture-stake to 
free his hands, knock him down with his 
own war-club, and flee for the river. Lame 
Deer told him where to And a canoe contain- 
ing paddles, a robe, and sufficient food for the 
journey to his own people. He assured Spot- 
ted Beaver that once he gained the canoe he 
would be comparatively safe, for he had 
dragged the other canoes into the bushes 
and had concealed the paddles. This would 
delay the pursuers, and they would, no doubt, 
5 ? 


THE GRATITUDE OF LAME DEER 

blame the deed upon the boys of the tribe as 
one of their thoughtless bits of mischief. Be- 
fore Lame Deer loosed Spotted Beaver’s 
bonds, however, he reminded him that he was 
giving him no weapons because he did not 
wish him to kill any of his people, and he 
warned him that if, even to save himself from 
capture, he should kill an Iroquois, Lame 
Deer himself would avenge the deed. 

When the sun finally appeared above the 
horizon the people hurried to the lodge to 
demand the prisoner. Lame Deer pushed 
aside the bear-skin which concealed the en- 
trance and dragged Spotted Beaver from the 
lodge. There was a joyous shout as the Iro- 
quois saw that the Delaware stood before 
them, strong and defiant. They crowded for- 
ward to take him from his guard, but Lame 
Deer motioned toward the stake, and began 
to push the Delaware before him. The war- 
riors followed, singing their war-songs and 
shouting direful threats at the captive. Some 
boys ran forward to annoy the prisoner with 
sharpened sticks, but Lame Deer drove them 
away and hurried Spotted Beaver toward the 
center of the camp. 

A moment later the Iroquois were dum- 
founded as the Delaware, miraculously freed 
from his bonds, whirled upon his guard, struck 
53 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


him to earth with his own club, and dashed 
for the river. The trick was entirely success- 
ful, and Lame Deer retained his reeling senses 
long enough to roll deliberately under the feet 
of the foremost pursuers, who fell in a con- 
fused mass on top of him. He felt other run- 
ners falling over those already down, and then 
he heard the twang of bows, and he knew that 
Spotted Beaver was some distance away. 
Then all became black and he lay uncon- 
scious. 

With the slight start and an open path 
Spotted Beaver was able to reach the river 
far enough in advance of the Iroquois to 
launch the canoe and paddle some distance 
from shore before the foremost pursuers 
reached the edge of the water. Then arrows 
began to sing past on both sides of him and 
several dropped into the canoe. The lad put 
all his strength into his paddle-strokes and 
sprinted to gain the middle of the river. In 
the mean time the infuriated Iroquois had dis- 
covered the loss of their paddles. They were 
unable to find them anywhere, and while 
some of the warriors dashed back to the vil- 
lage to make inquiries, others entered the 
canoes and attempted to propel them through 
the water with poles. They made slight head- 
way, and Spotted Beaver was soon out of 
54 


THE GRATITUDE OF LAME DEER 


range of their arrows. He continued his ex- 
ertions, however, for he knew that at any 
moment they might find the paddles, and 
with two or, three sturdy warriors in a canoe 
they would be quite sure to overtake him. 
But Lame Deer had hidden the paddles with 
rare skill, and the Delaware had already 
passed from sight when the first of them 
were found. 

Unable to use the canoes, many of the Iro- 
quois ran along the shore in a frantic effort to 
keep the Delaware in sight. Those who had 
found paddles were now racing wildly up the 
river in pursuit. They were far behind the 
fugitive, however, and, although they worked 
themselves into exhaustion, they found it im- 
possible to get within bow-shot. 

Spotted Beaver kept nothing in reserve, for 
he realized that his only hope was in keeping 
out of arrow-range. Once near enough to use 
their bows, his pursuers would have him at 
their mercy. Having gained his freedom, he 
determined to hold his lead in the hope that 
his pursuers would finally grow discouraged 
and abandon the chase. He wondered what 
had become of Lame Deer. The thought 
caused him considerable concern. Rather 
than be the cause of that loyal friend's dis- 
grace and death. Spotted Beaver would have 
55 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


returned and accepted his punishment un- 
flinchingly. However, he had little doubt 
that the keen-witted young Iroquois would 
extricate himself from the difficulty, and he 
dismissed the matter from his mind and con- 
tinued his flight. 

When Lame Deer regained his senses, he 
found himself lying upon a great bear-robe in 
his father’s lodge. An old squaw sat beside 
him, and as he opened his eyes she rose and 
sprinkled some herbs over him, while she sang 
a medicine-song to drive the evil spirits from 
his brain. For some moments the lad was 
unable to recall what had happened, and he 
asked the squaw to tell him how he came to 
be in his present state of helplessness. The 
old woman then told of the daring escape of 
the prisoner, and how Lame Deer had been 
nearly killed with his own club. The wily 
lad forced back a smile as the superstitious 
squaw told how the people believed that 
the evil spirits had loosed the prisoner from 
his bonds and carried him away to the Del- 
aware camp. 

On the second night after the escape the last 
of the pursuers returned and announced that 
they had been unable to overtake the Dela- 
ware. They questioned every lad in the vil- 
lage about the concealed paddles, but, of 
56 


THE GRATITUDE OF LAME DEER 

course, found no one upon whom to fasten 
the blame. Then Thunder Cloud made a 
lengthy speech and warned his people that 
the Delawares were protected by many evil 
spirits. He said that whenever they took an- 
other Delaware captive they must kill him at 
once. Looking sharply at his son, the Iro- 
quois chief cautioned the lad to remember his 
treatment at the hands of the Delaware 
dog.’^ 

‘‘Lame Deer, the son of the great chief 
Thunder Cloud, never forgets,” the young 
warrior replied, simply. 


IV 


THE REDEMPTION OF JUMPING FOX 

N ight had fallen upon the Iroquois 
country. A great, yellow moon rose 
slowly above the top of the pines and shed its 
radiance upon the river. Then a bark canoe 
emerged from the shadows and moved swiftly 
down the path of light. A moment later an- 
other canoe followed closely in the wake of 
the first, and behind the second came a third. 
Noiselessly, like grim, silent phantoms of the 
dark, they drifted along with the current. 
Two sinewy paddlers sat in each canoe. No 
sound accompanied the dipping of their 
paddles, not a word passed between them. As 
easily and as noiselessly as floating feathers 
the canoes drifted, bow foremost, upon the 
gravelly beach. 

Six sturdy Iroquois warriors rose and 
stepped stiffly ashore. They kicked vigor- 
ously for a moment or so to free their limbs 
from cramp, and then they drew the canoes 
58 


THE REDEMPTION OF JUMPING FOX 

from the water. A few words were exchanged 
in a guarded undertone, and two of the war- 
riors immediately disappeared into the forest. 
The others seated themselves in the shadows 
to await the return of the scouts. When the 
latter returned, the little company went into 
council. For some time the six warriors sat 
close together, apparently discussing some- 
thing of importance. At last they reached an 
agreement. Then they rose, dragged the 
canoes to the edge of the forest, and crawled 
beneath them to sleep. 

At dawn a flock of ducks rose from the 
river and hurried away on whistling wings. 
The noise roused the Iroquois, who carried 
their canoes to the water and resumed their 
journey. Before them was a long lane of 
white-crested rapids, and in a few moments 
the frail canoes were racing wildly through the 
perilous stretch of curling billows. The alert 
paddlers crouched in their places, keeping vig- 
ilant watch to avoid the sinister black rocks 
which dotted their course and threatened 
them with destruction. Rising, plunging, ca- 
reening, each frail bark was guided skilfully 
down the center of the treacherous, narrow 
channel, and came safely to rest in the quiet 
water beyond. 

Soon afterward the Iroquois went ashore. 

59 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


Leaving one of their number to guard the 
canoes, the rest of the company separated, and 
began a careful reconnaissance. Crouching low 
to the ground, they coursed through the bushes 
like wolves on the scent of a deer. From their 
action it was evident that they were seeking 
a trail. Their efforts were vain, however, for 
not a pebble had been displaced, not a track 
was visible. Apparently disappointed, the 
Iroquois entered the canoes and continued 
down the river. 

Somewhere ahead of them was Jumping 
Fox, a thief and an outlaw from their own 
tribe. Many petty thefts had been com- 
mitted in the Iroquois village, and suspi- 
cion had fallen upon the youthful fugitive. 
Then a search had been made, and a number 
of the stolen articles were found among his 
possessions. Aware that he had been discov- 
ered, the unfortunate youth fled from the 
village under cover of the dark. At dawn six 
warriors in three canoes started down the 
river in pursuit of him. 

Skilled in the use of the paddle. Jumping 
Fox gained a substantial lead upon his tardy 
pursuers. The first night he traveled con- 
tinuously, for he realized that the dawn 
would bring his people on his trail. The next 
day he continued without food or rest, for he 
6o 


THE REDEMPTION OF JUMPING FOX 

knew that to stop would be to lose all he had 
gained. However, as the second night closed 
down, the wily lad went ashore, filled his 
canoe with rocks, and sank it in a deep pool. 
Then he gathered up his robe and his weap- 
ons and disappeared into the forest. 

The night was cloudy and black, and the 
pursuers decided to go ashore and wait for day- 
light. They were uncertain as to whether 
they had gained or lost in the chase, and they 
were glum and ill at ease. With the first 
light of dawn, they launched the canoes and 
continued the search. The leading paddlers 
held their canoe in the center of the river, 
while their companions followed close to the 
shores. 

They had gone some distance in this order 
when a low shout from the last canoe brought 
the others to a stop. The keen eyes of one 
of the paddlers had discovered a clue on the 
shore. The Iroquois landed and found the 
trail of their fleeing tribesman. An indistinct 
footprint in the moss, a few broken grass- 
blades, several dislodged pebbles, showed the 
way he had gone. Having learned that much, 
his pursuers began to search for the missing 
canoe. They looked carefully through the 
bushes at the edge of the water, through the 
undergrowth at the edge of the forest, and in 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


every tangled thicket, without result. Then 
one of the searchers discovered something at 
the bottom of the pool. He threw himself 
prone and gazed intently into its placid 
depths. Then he rose and called his com- 
panions. He had discovered the rock-filled 
craft at the bottom of the river. 

Having left the river, Jumping Fox had 
hurried away toward the south, in the direc- 
tion of the Delaware hunting-grounds. His 
one idea was to place as much distance as 
possible between himself and his pursuers. 
He knew that picked scouts would be set upon 
his trail, and he believed that the surest way 
to foil them would be to enter the domains of 
their enemies. 

Toward the end of the day the sharp-eyed 
trailers found evidence which led them to sus- 
pect that they had blundered into the midst 
of unseen foes. Many narrow moccasin trails 
wound through the forest, and as each Iro- 
quois scout encountered them he halted, 
while his heart filled with gloomy fore- 
bodings. Of course it was possible that the 
Delawares used them only at frequent inter- 
vals, but a closer examination proved that 
the hope was false. 

When darkness finally descended upon the 
wilderness, the Iroquois, having separated to 
62 


THE REDEMPTION OF JUMPING FOX 

search for their tribesman, determined to meet 
and hold a council of war. They began to 
signal to one another. The mournful ser- 
enade of a barred owl sounded from a wooded 
ridge, a fox yapped from the valley, and the 
weird, tremulous call of the loon rose from a 
distant pond. 

However, the signals were heard by other 
ears besides those for which they were in- 
tended. A company of Delaware hunters 
heard them, and knew that enemies had en- 
tered their domain. Jumping Fox heard them, 
too, as he lay hidden for the night in the 
gloomy confines of an isolated swamp. The 
Delawares sent a runner to warn the distant 
village, and then they separated to search for 
the intruders. Jumping Fox smiled grimly 
and retreated farther into the swamp. 

One by one the Iroquois scouts arrived at 
the appointed rendezvous. They immedi- 
ately went into council. As they feared to 
betray themselves with a fire, they sat close 
together in the darkness and conversed in low, 
guarded whispers. They were all agreed that 
they had blundered stupidly into a clever trap 
which had been set for them by the fugitive 
Jumping Fox. They realized that the crafty 
youth had deliberately enticed them into the 
territory of their enemies. The knowledge 
63 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


that he, too, was forced to share their peril 
gave them little satisfaction, for they believed 
he would prefer death at the hands of his foes 
to capture and disgrace at the hands of his 
tribesmen. In spite of the peril which threat- 
ened them, however, the fearless Iroquois 
scouts determined to continue the chase, even 
though they might be compelled to enter the 
Delaware village itself. Having come to this 
bold decision, they sat, straining their ears to 
catch some sound from their enemies. 

Suddenly a twig snapped within bow-shot 
of them, and before the startled Iroquois 
could rise to their feet they were attacked 
and speedily overpowered by a vastly su- 
perior force of Delawares. When the brief 
struggle was over the Iroquois found them- 
selves helpless captives in the hands of their 
foes. 

The Delawares had suffered much abuse at 
the hands of the powerful Iroquois nation. 
Their village had been destroyed, their women 
and children carried away into captivity, and 
their warriors and hunters tortured and killed 
at every opportunity. Now they had the 
chance to retaliate, and they determined to 
make the most of it. They insulted and 
taunted their sullen prisoners until they tired 
of the amusement. Then they made a fire 
64 


THE REDEMPTION OF JUMPING FOX 

and passed the balance of the night dancing 
and singing their war-songs. 

At daylight the captives were given the 
freedom of their limbs. The circulation of 
blood through the swollen veins caused them 
excruciating agony, but the brave and haughty 
Iroquois disdained to acknowledge their suf- 
fering before the Delawares. All day they 
traveled through the wilderness, closely guard- 
ed by their exultant captors. There was no 
chance for escape, and the crafty Iroquois 
were too wise to make the attempt. They felt 
sure that they were being taken to the Del- 
aware village, and that torture and death 
would be their fate soon after they arrived 
there. Undismayed by the certainty of their 
doom, they walked along with heads proudly 
raised, totally oblivious to the threats and 
jeers of their guards. 

As cunning and stealthy as a hunting lynx. 
Jumping Fox followed on their trail. At fre- 
quent intervals he dropped to his knees and 
examined the ground with his hands. Then 
he rose and followed after his tribesmen, 
stealing through the timber with the stealth 
of a panther, bounding across the open places 
with the agility of a deer. A broken twig, a 
crushed leaf, some bark scraped from a tree, 
these things showed him the way. Alert and 

5 65 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


cautious, the daring lad followed the war- 
party to a point from which he saw the village 
and heard the wild, excited shouts of the oc- 
cupants as the captives were brought into 
the camp. 

For a long time Jumping Fox stood inac- 
tive and irresolute. He was convinced that 
his pursuers had fallen into the hands of their 
foes, and a fiost of conflicting emotions warred 
in his heart. He had little fear for himself, for 
he felt sure that he had escaped detection, and 
he knew that he could escape by carefully re- 
tracing his course. His stratagem had been 
successful, he had outwitted the trained war- 
riors who had been sent to find him. The 
thought roused his vanity. Now he would 
leave those unhappy captives to their fate. 
He saw no reason to pity them. In fact, he 
took considerable satisfaction in their plight. 
It was his revenge for their relentless pursuit 
of him. Then he thought of the blood tie. 
The prisoners whom he was abandoning so 
indifferently were Iroquois warriors — his peo- 
ple, his brothers! He suddenly remembered 
that he, too, was an Iroquois, a warrior with 
the pure blood of many generations flowing 
in his veins. He was a fighter, descended from 
an unconquerable race of warriors. Even ban- 
ishment could not rob him of his birthright — 
66 


THE REDEMPTION OF JUMPING FOX 

he was still an Iroquois! The proud boast 
filled his heart with pride. Then he realized 
that if he still claimed membership in that 
powerful nation he had obligations to meet, 
and the first was loyalty. He had long ago 
repented of his petty thefts, which he had 
committed to aid an unfortunate friend. Now, 
as he meditated, all malice against his tribes- 
men suddenly vanished. He told himself that, 
after all, his pursuers had only performed their 
duty, and he was forced to admit that he might 
have been one of the company had the culprit 
been other than himself. He began to accuse 
himself. He had led them into a trap — ^he 
had betrayed his own people into the hands 
of his foes 1 The accusation overwhelmed him 
with shame. Then a great resolve formed in 
his mind — ^he determined to redeem himself. 
Jumping Fox concealed himself within sight 
of the hostile camp, therefore, hoping that in 
some way he would be able to help his tribes- 
men. 

It happened that Walking Bear, the noted 
Delaware chief, was absent from the village. 
He had set out upon a solitary hunting trip 
at daylight, and to return he was compelled to 
cross the very ridge upon which Jumping Fox 
had hidden himself. Late in the day, there- 
fore, the unsuspecting hunter retraced his 
67 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


course, and came face to face with the young 
Iroquois. The surprise was mutual, but Jump- 
ing Fox was the first to recover his wits, and, 
with the advantages of youth in his favor, he 
was soon victorious in the brief struggle which 
ensued. 

Under other circumstances the successful 
young warrior would have slain his vanquished 
rival without compunction, but in the present 
instance he believed there was more to gain 
by making his foe a captive. It was the work 
of only a few moments to bind the Delaware’s 
hands and feet with stout strips of buckskin. 
Then, warning the prisoner that an outcry 
would end in his death, the young Iroquois 
sat down to formulate a plan for rescuing his 
comrades. 

Having finally decided upon a daring bit of 
stratagem. Jumping Fox approached his cap- 
tive. The Delaware smiled contemptuously 
at his youthful foe, and the latter again 
warned him against an outcry. Fortunately, 
the lad was familiar with the Delaware dia- 
lect, and even though the sullen chief pro- 
fessed not to understand a . word of the 
Iroquois tongue, Jumping Fox was able to 
make his commands understood. Having first 
fitted an arrow to his bow, therefore, the Iro- 
quois freed the captive from his bonds, ^nd 


THE REDEMPTION OF JUMPING FOX 

ordered him to walk to a spot directly above 
the Delaware village. Realizing that the 
prisoner would betray him at the first oppor- 
tunity, the lad walked close behind him, ready 
to drive his arrow through his heart at the 
first hint of treachery. 

Before the Delaware exhibited himself to 
the camp, however. Jumping Fox stopped him 
and briefly described the plan, which was to 
use the captive as a means to rescue the Iro- 
quois prisoners. In concluding, the lad warned 
the prisoner that his life depended upon the 
success with which he played his part, and 
threatened to drive his arrow into the Dela- 
ware’s heart if he attempted to betray him. 
Then he asked the unhappy chief if he was 
ready to play the r61e in return for his life. 
For one moment Walking Bear maintained 
a sullen silence, and finally signified his ac- 
ceptance of the terms only because Jump- 
ing Fox had drawn his bowstring and was 
about to drive his arrow through the cap- 
tive’s body. 

In the mean time the Delawares had roused 
themselves to a frenzy. Their one desire was 
to visit their wrath upon the unfortunate Iro- 
quois who had fallen into their hands. Ordi- 
narily they would have awaited the return of 
their chief before attacking their foes, but, 
69 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


having been carried away with excitement, 
they determined to begin the fearful cere- 
mony without him. One of the captives was 
dragged to the center of the village and bound 
to the tortme-stake. Then the Delawares 
formed a circle about him and began a wild, 
noisy dance, which the prisoner knew would 
speedily lead to his torture and death. At a 
short distance from the warriors the squaws 
and boys were conducting a dance of their 
own, while bowed and decrepit old hags 
cackled fiendishly and urged the most ex- 
treme penalties for the hated captives. The 
other prisoners, securely bound and closely 
guarded, had been brought forward to witness 
the fate of their comrade, with the hope of 
weakening their courage. The victim himself 
stood proudly erect, with a look of scorn upon 
his fearless face, as his merciless, hate-crazed 
foes circled about him, flourishing their weap- 
ons and shouting their threats. 

Then an awesome hush fell upon the wild 
assemblage, and the dancers stood transfixed 
in their places. Boldly outlined on the cliff 
above the camp stood the erect figure of a 
solitary Iroquois warrior. Having attracted 
the attention of the people in the village, he 
raised his hand in token of friendship and be- 
gan to talk. The captives turned their eyes 
70 


THE REDEMPTION OF JUMPING FOX 

hopefully in his direction, and recognized him 
at once as Jumping Fox, the outcast. 

The latter addressed the Delawares in their 
own dialect, and assured them that the great 
war-chief of the powerful Iroquois nation was 
before them. He warned them that several 
hundred warriors were assembled in the forest 
behind him. He said that the Iroquois had 
come into their country on a peaceful mission 
and had sent the six captives forward to pro- 
claim the approach of the great company of 
fighting-men. He charged the Delawares with 
duplicity and a desire to turn peace into war. 
He declared that his own warriors, having 
learned the fate of their comrades, had retali- 
ated by capturing the great Delaware chief 
himself. To prove this bold boast Jumping 
Fox promised that Walking Bear would ap- 
pear and speak for himself. 

Amid an impressive silence the daring young 
Iroquois withdrew, and the captive Delaware 
walked to the edge of the precipice and ad- 
dressed his people. He, too, accused them of 
breaking faith and all the sacred bonds of hos- 
pitality. He upbraided them for causing his 
own capture, and said it was only because of 
the Iroquois^s great friendliness that his life 
had been spared. He ordered the instant re- 
lease of the captives and guaranteed them a 

71 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


safe and unmolested journey out of the Del- 
aware domains. Then he ordered all mem- 
bers of his own tribe to remain within the 
village for three days, and declared that he 
would accompany the Iroquois some distance 
on their return journey, as an evidence of 
his good-will. 

After Walking Bear had finished speaking, 
and had been bound to a tree out of sight of 
his terrorized tribesmen. Jumping Fox shouted 
commands to an imaginary company of war- 
riors. Then he again appeared before the 
crestfallen Delawares. His eyes lighted with 
triumph as he noted that the captives had 
already been freed. As he began to speak, 
they hastened from the village to join him. 
Encouraged by the success of his plan, the 
elated lad launched forth into an able speech 
in which he made many references to the wise 
words of the Delaware chief. In closing he 
declared that the enraged Iroquois warriors 
were for war, but he promised to lead them 
away and leave the Delaware village in peace. 
He warned the Delawares against pentiitting 
even a child to leave the village during the 
specified three days, and assured them that 
keen-eyed scouts would be left on guard to 
make sure that the command was obeyed. 
Jumping Fox promised the Delawares if they 
72 


THE REDEMPTION OF JUMPING FOX 

remained in the camp, as he cautioned them 
to do, Walking Bear would return to them 
unharmed on the evening of the third day; 
but he declared that if any one attempted to 
follow the great company of Iroquois war- 
riors the Delaware chief would surely be killed. 
Then, as his rejoicing tribesmen had already 
joined him, the bold orator ceased speaking, 
and disappeared from view of the perplexed 
Delawares. 

Jumping Fox and his companions hastened 
toward their canoes, and took Walking Bear 
with them. Except for the interference of 
Jumping Fox the unhappy Delaware would 
soon have met his death at the hands of the 
other Iroquois. When they finally came 
within sight of the river where their canoes 
were hidden. Jumping Fox freed the hands of 
Walking Bear and gave him his liberty. 
Three of the Iroquois scouts attempted to 
follow after the unarmed chief, but Jumping 
Fox recalled* them and reminded them of the 
sacredness of an Iroquois's promise. 

Several days later they arrived at their own 
village, and the people crowded excitedly 
about Jumping Fox, calling him a thief and 
an outcast, and demanding that he should be 
severely punished. The condemned lad heard 
them without emotion. 

73 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


That night at the council-fire the warriors 
who had been sent to capture the fugitive told 
the story of their adventure with the Dela- 
wares, and of the splendid loyalty of Jumping 
Fox. They said he had returned voluntarily 
to his people with a sorrowful heart, and they 
asked that he might be forgiven and reinstated 
in the tribe. 

When these brave men had finished their 
appeal in behalf of the prisoner. War Dog, the 
famous Iroquois war-chief, went to Jumping 
Fox and grasped his hand. Many noted war- 
riors followed his example. Then the war- 
drums were brought out, and the people 
danced and sang until daylight to celebrate 
Jumping Fox’s victory over their enemies, the 
Delawares. 


V 


SINGING BEAR, THE CHIPPEWA 

S INGING BEAR had heard his people, 
the Chippewas, tell many tales of a won- 
derful lake far south in the country of the 
Mohawks, where one might fill his canoe with 
the valuable pelt of the beaver. Scorning the 
difficulties and perils of such a joiurney, the 
daring young Chippewa determined to visit 
this wonderful hunting-ground. However, 
when he told his plans to the chief and prin- 
cipal warriors of the tribe, they shook their 
heads, and warned him that for one so young 
and inexperienced as he the undertaking 
would end in capture or death. The lad was 
determined, however, and at last his father 
supplied him with weapons and a canoe and 
bade him go and attempt the exploit. 

The third day after leaving the Chippewa 
village. Singing Bear realized that he had 
entered the hunting-grounds of his foes, and 
he became doubly cautious. The day was 
75 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


more than half gone, however, before he saw 
anything to rouse his suspicions. Then, as he 
slowly paddled around a sharp bend of the 
river, his keen eyes discovered something 
skulking through the bushes which lined the 
shore. Instantly alert, the yoimg Chippewa 
stopped his canoe and watched the forest for 
another sight of the mysterious object which 
had aroused his fears. It had entirely disap- 
peared, and after waiting some time Singing 
Bear decided that it was a bear or some other 
prowler of the woods, and dismissed the inci- 
dent from his mind. 

The touch of early autumn was in the air, 
and the forest was painted with the vivid 
colors which blaze the trail of the frost king. 
As the birch canoe moved slowly on its way 
great flocks of ducks rose from sunny coves 
and flew rapidly down the river; a lone musk- 
rat sat upon its muddy lodge and looked curi- 
ously at the solitary voyager; a great hawk 
circled above the pines, and companies, of 
noisy jays scolded from the shore. All these 
things found favor in the eyes of Singing Bear. 
He told himself that the world was good and 
he was glad he was alive to enjoy it. Even 
the fierce and warlike Mohawks, among 
whom he was venturing, could not prevent 
him from appreciating the many things which 
76 


SINGING BEAR, THE CHIPPEWA 

the Great Spirit had placed upon the earth to 
please him. 

Singing Bear was rudely roused from these 
peaceful meditations when an arrow hummed 
past his head and fell into the water a short 
distance beyond him. Aware that he was 
being attacked from ambush, the young Chip- 
pewa fitted an arrow to his own bow and 
watched the woods for a sign of his concealed 
foe. The latter, however, refused to show 
himsejf, and, realizing that he was exposing 
himself, with no chance of harming his adver- 
sary, Singing Bear retreated to the middle of 
the river. 

Convinced that his foes had discovered 
him, the lad realized that he must become 
still more cautious. He saw that it would be 
folly to attempt to travel any farther in day- 
light, and he planned to hide by day and travel 
by night. He would have given much to know 
whether the concealed foe who had attacked 
him was in possession of a canoe. If he were. 
Singing Bear felt sure he would be speedily 
followed down the river. 

Undismayed by the realization of his peril, 
the Chippewa paddled rapidly on his way. 
He had little doubt that some keen-eyed scout 
was watching from the shore, and the thought 
made him uneasy. Several times he fancied 
77 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


that he heard the crackling of brush, and he 
believed that the unseen prowler was follow- 
ing him along the shore. Once he saw the 
bushes sway, but after watching carefully he 
finally attributed it to a freak of the wind. 

At midday Singing Bear determined to go 
ashore and hide himself until night came to 
his assistance. When he found a proper land- 
ing-place he disembarked, carried his canoe 
into the forest, and skilfully concealed it in a 
dense thicket of young hemlocks. Then he 
hid himself in the undergrowth and watched 
the river. 

Some time afterward. Singing Bear’s sharp 
ears caught the sound of subdued voices, and 
a few moments later he saw a canoe moving 
slowly down the river. It contained two 
Mohawk warriors, and Singing Bear realized 
at once that they were trailing him. Their 
careless, indifferent search of the shores con- 
vinced him that they supposed him still ahead 
of them, and the thought gave him consider- 
able satisfaction. However, as they halted 
for an instant opposite the very spot where he 
had dragged his canoe from the water the 
young Chippewa’s heart pounded against his 
ribs. He wondered whether they had dis- 
covered his hiding-place. If they had, he felt 
sure they would track him down and compel 
78 


SINGING BEAR, THE CHIPPEWA 

him to fight for his life. His fears proved 
groundless, however, for the paddlers had al- 
ready resumed their way down the river. 
After they had gone Singing Bear continued 
to watch, fearing that other canoes might 
appear at any moment. When none came he 
decided that the two Mohawk warriors were 
alone, and the thought somewhat reassured 
him. 

Then the perplexed young Chippewa began 
to wonder if it was one of the warriors who 
had just passed that had attempted to kill 
him from ambush. If that were the case, why 
had only one arrow been discharged at him? 
And inasmuch as those warriors had a canoe, 
why had they not come boldly forth and 
given him battle with the odds greatly in 
their favor? He was at a loss to understand 
it. He began to doubt that the warriors he 
had just seen were the foes who had attacked 
him. The doubt suggested all sorts of per- 
plexing possibilities. Perhaps the Mohawks 
who had gone down the river had no inkling of 
what had happened. On the other hand, they 
might have met the foe who had made the 
attempt on his life and been cautioned that 
the bold intruder was somewhere ahead of 
them. As he could come to no satisfactory 
conclusion regarding them. Singing Bear dis- 
79 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


missed them from his thoughts and busied 
his brain with plans for continuing his jour- 
ney. He knew that if the warriors whom he 
had seen were aware of his presence along the 
river, his task would be doubly difficult. He 
believed that his only chance was to drift 
past them under cover of the night. 

The day wore slowly to an end, and the im- 
patient young Chippewa watched eagerly 
while the sun sank gradually from his sight 
behind the pines. Then he drew his robe 
about him and waited for the twilight to give 
way to dark. As the first stars appeared he 
rose and turned his face to the heavens. For 
some moments he prayed earnestly to the 
Great Spirit, asking for strength against his 
foes. Then he carried his canoe to the river. 

Singing Bear paddled swiftly through the 
night, with every sense keenly alert to detect 
the first warning of danger. His eyes searched 
anxiously along the great, black wall of forest 
which marked the shore; his ears caught the 
faintest whispers of the night, and his sensi- 
tive nostrils examined the air for a trace of 
smoke. Once he heard the distant hooting of 
an owl, far away in the woods, and he stopped 
to listen. After some moments the dreary 
sound again echoed through the night, but 
only the wind gave answer. Then the hungry 
8o 


SINGING BEAR, THE CHIPPEWA 

scream of a hunting lynx rose close at hand, 
and Singing Bear even heard the soft fall of 
the padded feet on the dry leaves of the forest. 
Thus the daring lad moved through the dark, 
listening and watching like some frightened 
beast of the wilderness. 

Suddenly, far ahead of him, he detected the 
flicker of a camp-fire twinkling brightly between 
the trees. He felt sure that he had overtaken 
the warriors who had passed him earlier in the 
day. Determined to reconnoiter their camp, 
the reckless young Chippewa moved cau- 
tiously forward under the protection of the 
heavy shadows from the shore. The uncon- 
cealed fire convinced him that his foes either 
supposed him still far ahead of them, or else 
were entirely unaware of his presence in their 
domains. Encouraged by the latter possi- 
bility, Singing Bear determined to pass his 
enemies under cover of the night. 

At that very moment, however, the Mo- 
hawks added fresh fuel to the fire, and a wide 
lane of glaring light reached out across the 
water and formed an impassable barrier in 
the path of the Chippewa. He saw at once 
that it would be impossible to cross that bar 
of light without being discovered from the 
shore. There was but one thing to do, there- 
fore, and that was to wait, in hope that the fire 

6 8i 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


would again die down and give him a chance 
to dash past in the dark. Still, every moment 
was precious, and delay might be fatal. He 
realized that at daylight the Mohawks would 
again embark upon the river, and he was 
anxious to put as much distance as possible 
behind him before dawn forced him into hid- 
ing. 

The hours passed and still Singing Bear 
lingered in the shadows. Meanwhile the gold- 
en streak which barred the river lost none of 
its brilliance. Roused almost to desperation, 
the young Chippewa was tempted to make a 
bold dash across the barrier, and then trust 
to the strength of his sinewy arms in a wild 
race down the river. He soon saw the folly 
of that reckless plan, however, and dismissed 
it as the idea of a foolish papoose. 

Then his alert senses warned him of the 
approach of an unseen enemy, who was ad- 
vancing stealthily under protection of the 
dark. Listening with his head close to the 
water, he heard the soft swish of a paddle, 
and he believed that the hidden foe who had 
attacked him earlier in the day was paddling 
cautiously down the river in search of him. 
His heart bounded at the thought. He pushed 
his canoe closer to the shore and waited for 
the unknown prowler to pass. Singing Bear 

82 


SINGING BEAR, THE CHIPPEWA 

knew that this mysterious voyager must al- 
ready have discovered the fire. The excited 
lad again lowered his head to the water to 
listen. The paddler was abreast of him. Then 
the sound suddenly ceased and Singing Bear 
seized his tomahawk. Long, anxious mo- 
ments passed, and still no sound came from 
the darkness. Singing Bear believed that his 
foe had discovered him. He crouched in his 
canoe, weapon in hand, ready to fight for 
his life. 

Suddenly the low, querulous call of a loon 
sounded within bow-shot of him. A moment 
afterward it was answered by the bark of a 
fox in the direction of the fire. Then he again 
heard the soft splash of a paddle and he knew 
that the new-comer had exchanged signals 
with his friends. Soon afterward he heard a 
low hail from the shore and a reply from the 
river. Then all was still. 

Singing Bear felt sure that the new arrival 
would warn his tribesmen of the trespasser 
who had passed down the river ahead of them. 
The lad realized that his predicament was 
a serious one, and he was undecided just 
what to do. To proceed meant certain ex- 
posure to capture and death. For a moment 
he faltered. Then the unconquerable blood 
of his people asserted itself. He determined 
S3 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 

to go on at any cost — ^he would accomplish 
what he had set out to do or die in the attempt. 

Then the delighted lad saw that the path 
of light was gradually fading from the water, 
and his heart filled with hope. He counted 
the moments until the last flickering gleam 
melted into the darkness, and then he moved 
boldly out into the river. Once in the channel, 
he paddled forward with all his strength. 
Glancing anxiously over his shoulder, he saw 
the camp-fire and three black figures sitting 
in the glow. A moment later he had passed 
his enemies without being discovered. Then, 
directly ahead of him, he heard the sullen roar 
of the rapids, and he braced himself to meet 
the peril. 

Before Singing Bear realized what had hap- 
pened, however, a great wave caught the ca- 
noe amidships and half filled it. Rolling and 
entirely unmanageable, the doomed craft ca- 
reened against a great slime-covered boulder 
and cracked to pieces like an egg-shell. 
Grasping wildly to save his weapons, the 
young Chippewa sank beneath the water and 
was swept away by the roaring torrent. 

The half-choked lad Anally rose to the sur- 
face and found himself in a wild sea of great, 
white-crested billows that tossed him about 
^t will Although Singing Bear was a strong 
S4 


SINGING BEAR, THE CHIPPEWA 

and skilful swimmer, his best efforts seemed 
futile. Choking, gasping, and struggling, he 
was spun about and rolled along in the mighty 
grasp of the rapids. Twice he narrowly es- 
caped having his brains dashed out against 
great submerged boulders. Strive as he might, 
he seemed powerless to save himself. Cut, 
bruised, and battered, he was being swept to 
his doom. Then when he had ceased to fight, 
the river threw him contemptuously aside 
and left him to die. 

When Singing Bear finally regained con- 
sciousness he found himself lying face down- 
ward on a narrow point of land which pro- 
jected some distance into the river. Behind 
him he heard the ominous roar of the 
rapids, and his reeling brain steadied at the 
sound. He recalled his wild battle through 
that inferno of raging water, and in a bewil- 
dered sort of way he became aware of his 
predicament. Daylight had already dawned, 
and, aware that he might be discovered at 
any moment, the exhausted lad raised him- 
self feebly and looked about him for some 
place of concealment. The effort caused him 
much pain, and he feared he had been badly 
injured. Under him lay his bow, and on his 
back he felt the soaked buckskin quiver filled 
with arrows. The possession of his weapons 
35 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


comforted him, and he began to crawl pain- 
fully toward a thicket of low bushes at the 
edge of the woods. Although the distance was 
short, it was a slow, torturing journey, and 
when he finally parted the branches and 
crawled from sight he sank down exhausted. 

Singing Bear had scarcely reached cover 
when a bark canoe entered the rapids and 
came careening and plunging down the long 
lane of tossing billows. The frail craft was 
guided by two Mohawk warriors, one in each 
end. The warrior in the stern of the canoe 
stood erect and steered with a long pole, while 
his companion crouched in the bow with his 
paddle poised to ward off the great, jagged 
boulders that reared their heads above the 
torrent. It was a wild, dangerous ride, and 
the paddlers turned and laughed back at the 
peril when they found themselves safely afloat 
in the quiet water beyond. Then they re- 
sumed their journey and passed rapidly out of 
sight down the river. 

Having gained the protection of the bushes, 
Singing Bear lay weak and helpless. He had 
lost his robe, and he was chilled and sore and 
miserable. He made several attempts to rise, 
but each time he fell back with a groan, his 
agony showing in his eyes. Then he began to 
lose courage. He told himself it was the end 
86 


SINGING BEAR, THE CHIPPEWA 

— he had failed. Far from his own people, 
stranded and helpless in a hostile country, he 
acknowledged himself easy prey for the fierce 
and warlike Mohawks. Unable to help him- 
self, he turned his face to the sky and asked 
aid from the Great Spirit. 

Then Singing Bear suddenly remembered 
that only one canoe had passed through the 
rapids. What had become of the lone pad- 
dler? The lad's eyes glowed with hate at the 
thought of him. He wondered why that 
skulking foe had not accompanied his com- 
rades down the river. He felt certain that 
they had discovered the broken canoe, and, if 
they had, he hoped they would believe that 
its owner had gone to his death in the rapids. 
He wondered whether they had communi- 
cated the fact to their tribesman. Then a 
new possibility suggested itself to his mind. 
Perhaps the canoe had filled and sunk. In 
that case the Mohawk would continue to look 
for him. 

Soon afterward Singing Bear's perplexity 
was banished by the appearance of the second 
canoe, which he saw racing through the rapids. 
The alert, solitary paddler guided his plunging 
craft with the judgment and skill of a veteran, 
and brought it safely into quiet water. The 
young Chippewa watched him anxiously. The 
87 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


paddler, who was resting from his exertions, 
had come close to the shore, and Singing Bear 
was able to study him at short range. He 
saw that the Mohawk was a man in the very 
prime of life, tall and sinewy, with a stern, 
fearless face, a deep chest, and wide, sloping 
shoulders. His sharp, black eyes noted every 
detail of the shore as he drifted slowly along 
within easy bow-shot of the bushes. Once 
he looked directly at the thicket which 
sheltered the helpless Chippewa, and Singing 
Bear’s nerveless fingers closed weakly about 
his bow. Then the Mohawk plunged his 
paddle into the water and moved swiftly 
down the river after his comrades. 

Singing Bear was now convinced that the 
Mohawks were entirely ignorant of the fate 
which had overtaken him. It was evident 
that they supposed him still some distance in 
advance of them. The thought gave the 
young Chippewa hope, for he realized that as 
long as he remained in his hiding-place he 
would be safe. He began to look about him, 
therefore, with the idea of making himself 
more comfortable. The first thing he required 
was warmth, for he was shivering in the frosty 
air which rose from the water. As he had no 
way of making a fire, he crawled upon a large, 
flat rock and basked in the sun. He found 
88 


SINGING BEAR, THE CHIPPEWA 

some berries close by and ate them, and felt 
refreshed. Then as the sun gradually rose 
higher above the trees and warmed him with 
its heat, his pain became less severe and he 
began to examine himself. He was battered 
and bruised, but he could find no evidence of 
a permanent injury. Encouraged by the dis- 
covery, he gradually regained his strength, 
and at the end of the long day he was able to 
rise and limp slowly about. 

Twilight was fast giving way to dark when 
Singing Bear saw the leafy top of a great tree 
which was drifting down through the rapids. 
As he watched it bumping its way through 
the billows, an idea suddenly flashed into his 
mind. It was a bold and reckless thought, 
and for a moment the lad hesitated. Then he 
determined to risk his life on the success of 
the daring stratagem. 

When the tree drifted into the calmer water 
below the rapids Singing Bear waded out from 
the shore and swam toilfully to the treetop. 
Then with considerable effort he dragged him- 
self upon the log, crawled forward into the 
tangle of branches, and was carried slowly 
down the river. 

As night closed down the young Chippewa 
peered anxiously from his leafy shelter, in the 
hope of discovering the Mohawk camp-fire. 

89 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


Then he came upon another stretch of wild 
water, and his heart filled with dismay. He 
passed through the rapids in safety, however, 
and found himself on a long, level stretch of 
the river, which flowed peacefully between the 
walls of a great, high forest on either side. 

Then Singing Bear again heard the call of 
the loon, and the answering bark of a fox. 
The sounds filled him with alarm, for he knew 
that he had overtaken the Mohawks. He be- 
lieved that they had separated, and were 
camped on opposite sides of the river. He 
looked in vain for the warning glow of their 
fires. The signals were repeated, and he felt 
sure that the sharp-eyed Mohawk scouts had 
discovered the drifting tree trunk, and, having 
failed to identify it, were warning one another 
of its approach through the dark. 

The young Chippewa felt quite sure that 
one, or possibly both, canoes would steal 
quietly from shore to investigate. Before it 
was too late, therefore, the wily lad slipped 
noiselessly into the water and, turning upon 
his back, floated rapidly away from his shelter. 

Singing Bear had not gone an arrow-flight 
when he heard the sound of paddles, and, aware 
that his foes were close at hand, he sank in the 
water until only the upper part of his face 
was above the surface. Floating thus, he saw 
90 


SINGING BEAR, THE CHIPPEWA 

a long, black shape glide past, within bow- 
length of him, and he knew that it was one of 
the Mohawk canoes. When it had passed 
from hearing he turned upon his stomach and 
swam toward the shore. Each stroke was 
agony, for his muscles were strained and his 
body was cut and bruised from his battle 
with the rapids. However, he realized that 
his life depended upon his efforts, and the 
thought gave him strength. Finally his feet 
struck solid ground, and he staggered up the 
bank and sought shelter in the forest. 

Once in the woods. Singing Bear concealed 
himself to watch for the return of the Mo- 
hawks. It was not long before he heard the 
scraping of a canoe on the gravelly beach. 
All his weakness seemed to vanish at the 
sound and the hot fighting blood surged to 
his brain. Fitting an arrow to his bow, he 
began a stealthy advance in the direction of 
the sound. 

Suddenly Singing Bear sank noiselessly to 
the ground and lay as motionless as the rock 
behind which he had taken shelter. A short 
distance in front of him, with its bow drawn 
up on the shore, was the Mohawk canoe. 
Somewhere within bow-shot of it were the 
Mohawks themselves, for Singing Bear heard 
the sound of their voices. Cautiously, an inch 
91 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


at a time, he raised himself to peer over his 
hiding-place. There, within leaping distance, 
floated the Mohawk canoe, but the night hid 
its owners from his sight. 

To reach the prize it would be necessary to 
cross the open beach, and to do that within 
hailing distance of such alert foes as the Mo- 
hawks was a perilous and difflcult under- 
taking. However, Singing Bear determined to 
make the attempt. The sound of the voices 
had ceased, and he began to wonder if by 
any chance his enemies had discovered him. 
He became suspicious. Perhaps the crafty 
Mohawks were waiting for him to approach 
the bait, when they would rise and pierce him 
with their arrows. For a moment his weak- 
ness and pain returned and he thought of 
abandoning the exploit and retreating into 
the forest. While he hesitated the cry of the 
loon sounded from the water, and Singing 
Bear knew that the other canoe was crossing 
the river. Then the low, guarded bark of the 
fox sounded from beside the canoe on the 
beach, and the Chippewa smiled grimly as he 
realized how narrowly he had escaped from 
the trap. 

The second canoe came to shore almost op- 
posite his hiding-place, and the solitary war- 
rior passed so near that he could have touched 

92 


SINGING BEAR, THE CHIPPEWA 

him with his bow. Singing Bear waited until 
he heard the Mohawks talking, and then he 
began to wriggle toward the river. When he 
had gone a bow-length he stopped to listen, 
and as he still heard the voices of his foes he 
continued across the beach. At last his moc- 
casin touched the water and, turning his head, 
he saw a dark, indistinct object within a short 
distance of him. He crawled quickly forward 
and found the Mohawk canoe. Pausing a 
moment to listen, he pushed the canoe from 
shore and turned it down the river. 

It was soon evident that the Mohawks still 
believed that their foe was ahead of them, for 
they left the canoes at the edge of the shore, 
ready for immediate use, and made their way 
to the forest. A few moments later Singing 
Bear heard them breaking sticks for a fire. 

This unexpected manoeuver gave the young 
Chippewa the very chance he longed for, and 
he rose and approached the other Mohawk 
canoe as silently as a shadow. He had 
grasped it at the bow and was in the very 
act of pushing it from shore when a wild yell 
rose through the night and several arrows 
whizzed past him in the darkness. 

Singing Bear realized that he had been dis- 
covered. There was not a moment to lose. 
He shoved the canoe into the water an(J 
93 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


clambered in over the bow. Seizing one of 
the two paddles which he found in the bottom 
of the captured craft, he paddled swiftly down 
the river. He kept well out toward the center 
of the stream, for he felt sure that the en- 
raged Mohawks would follow along the shore 
in the hope of reaching him with their arrows. 

After that first surprised yell, not a sound 
came from the silent, black forest, and the 
lad was baffied in his effort to learn the where- 
abouts of his foes. He soon found the canoe 
which he had set adrift, and quickly towed it 
to the opposite side of the river. It was 
only the work of an instant to drive a rock 
through the bottom of the frail craft and 
drag it into the bushes. Then, satisfied that 
he had left his foes without the means of pur- 
suit, Singing Bear resumed his flight down 
the river. 

Some time afterward the Chippewa heard 
signals echoing through the forest far behind 
him. The loon called and an owl hooted many 
times. However, Singing Bear assured him- 
self that he had nothing to fear so long as the 
calls continued behind him. His only im- 
mediate concern, therefore, was as to what 
perils lay in front of him. He realized that if 
the Mohawk village should lie directly ahead 
of him, or if some wandering war-party had 
94 


SINGING BEAR, THE CHIPPEWA 

heard the signals of their comrades, then his 
chance of escape was slight. 

The signals soon ceased, however, and as 
no reply had come from down the river Sing- 
ing Bear felt considerably encouraged. He 
paddled steadily through the balance of the 
night, and even when the first gray warning 
of daylight spread slowly across the sky he 
continued boldly on his way. In doubt as to 
the exact location of the Mohawk village, 
which he had heard was somewhere along the 
river, he kept a sharp watch ahead of him for 
the first warning of danger. His one desire 
was to put as much distance as possible be- 
tween himself and his pursuers before he was 
finally forced into hiding. 

Singing Bear had quite recovered from his 
rough handling in the rapids and, although 
his body was still bruised and sore, he felt 
sufficiently strong to cope with any emer- 
gency which might arise. The success of his 
daring plan had restored his confidence and 
he determined to push on resolutely to the 
end of his journey. 

When the sun finally appeared above the 
treetops, Singing Bear paddled along in the 
heavy shadows from the wooded shore. There 
he was able to glide noiselessly beneath the 
overhanging branches of the trees with less 
95 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 

likelihood of discovery. As the hours passed 
and he failed to discover the Mohawk village, 
he became somewhat perplexed. However, as 
he saw nothing ahead to cause him concern, 
he decided to continue his journey. He began 
to hope that he might have passed the main 
Mohawk camp under cover of the night. 

Then he was brought quickly to a realiza- 
tion of his peril by the sight of two Mohawk 
canoes lying bottom up on a narrow, sandy 
beach directly ahead of him. Thoroughly 
alarmed by the discovery, he hurried to con- 
ceal himself beneath the great, drooping 
branches of a spruce that grew close to the 
edge of the water. Then for some moments 
.he studied the canoes on the beach. As he 
saw no sign of life about them, and as they 
had been drawn far up from the water, he 
finally concluded that their owners had gone 
a journey into the forest. Therefore, the 
reckless lad determined, to leave his hiding- 
place and paddle swiftly past the dangerous 
spot while his foes were away. 

Singing Bear had barely come abreast of 
the canoes, however, when four Mohawk 
warriors rose, yelling savagely, and discharged 
their arrows at him. One of the flint-tipped 
shafts opened a gash in his shoulder, and an- 
other pierced the side of his canoe. Throwing 
96 


SINGING BEAR, THE CHIPPEWA 

himself prone, the astounded Chippewa dis- 
charged several arrows at his enemies, who 
promptly disappeared behind their canoes. 

The surprise had been complete, and Sing- 
ing Bear’s heart filled with rage as he realized 
how stupidly he had blundered into the clever 
trap that had been set for him. Having seen 
him approaching, the wily Mohawks had gone 
ashore and concealed themselves behind their 
canoes, feeling quite sure that the young Chip- 
pewa would attempt to pass within bow-shot. 

Now that they had him almost in their 
grasp, however, they dared not expose them- 
selves to go forth and capture him. Every 
time they showed themselves Singing Bear 
drove them to cover with a well-directed ar- 
row. Thus the skirmish continued while the 
courageous lad drifted slowly but steadily 
down the river. 

Then Singing Bear suddenly rose to his 
knees, plunged his paddle deep into the water, 
and disappeared around a bend of the stream 
before the surprised Mohawks knew what had 
happened. He put every ounce of his strength 
into his arms, and the canoe rushed through 
the water like a frightened deer. Wild shouts 
from the shore told him that his pursuit had 
already begun. 

By the time the Mohawks had launched 

7 97 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


their canoes and rounded the first bend of the 
river, Singing Bear had already disappeared 
around another abrupt turn of the stream. 
Then a short distance ahead of him he saw 
the tossing white-caps of another long rapids. 

Then an idea suddenly suggested itself, and 
he turned aside into a shallow pool near the 
shore. Jumping from the canoe, he pushed it 
into the current and scrambled hastily up 
the bank. As he gained the woods he saw 
the abandoned canoe capsize in the rapids and 
lodge firmly between two great boulders in the 
very center of the torrent. Satisfied with the 
success of his stratagem, Singing Bear re- 
treated into the depths of the forest. 

As the Mohawks were about to enter the 
rapids they saw the stranded canoe. Greatly 
excited over the discovery, they landed two 
of their comrades, one on each shore of the 
river. These warriors hurried along the rocky 
banks of the stream, searching for the body of 
the Chippewa, v/hom they believed had been 
drowned in the rapids. When they failed to 
find him they declared that the good wate^* 
spirits who guarded the Mohawks had eaten 
him. 

Unknowingly, Singing Bear had already 
passed the great Mohawk village the previous 
night, so that now he had little to fear. For 
98 


SINGING BEAR, THE CHIPPEWA 

several days he traveled steadily south toward 
the wonderful lake of the beavers. At last he 
found it and camped there many moons. 
When he had all the beaver-pelts he could 
carry he made himself a new canoe and set 
out for his own people, whom he finally 
reached in safety late the following spring. 


VI 


THE WAR-EAGLE 

F or several days the war-eagle had circled 
above the great Sioux camp. The war- 
riors watched it anxiously, and the old men 
shook their heads and said: ^‘That great bird 
is calling us to war. We must go.’' 

At length the tribe assembled in council, 
and the chiefs and fighting-men argued for 
war. They declared that the great bird of 
their people had called them to take the war- 
path, and that, therefore, their efforts would 
surely be crowned with success. Some advised 
a raid upon the Blackfeet; others proposed an 
attack upon their old-time enemies, the hated 
Pawnees. War-songs were chanted and tales 
of battle told until all the people became 
greatly excited and cried out for war. 

Then Crazy Wolf, the medicine-man, rose, 
and at once the tumult subsided, as the Sioux 
accorded him the attention and respect to 
which his position entitled him. He told them 
that he was glad they cried for war, as it 

JOQ 


THE WAR-EAGLE 

proved that they were men. He said they 
should always be prepared to fight their en- 
emies. However, he warned them that in the 
present instance it was bad, for he had seen a 
vision, and he cautioned his people to remain 
within the village, lest they should meet with 
disaster. Crazy Wolf reminded them that the 
great war-bird had always remained over 
them, and that, he declared, was a sign that 
they must abandon the war-trail and remain 
in their lodges. 

The warriors and head chiefs of the tribe 
received the advice in sullen silence, and for 
a long time no one replied. They were sorely 
disappointed, for the medicine of Crazy Wolf 
had always been good, and they did not care 
to disobey him. 

At last the great Sioux war-chief. Black Buf- 
falo, rose and addressed his people with great 
solemnity. He said he was glad to know that 
their hearts were brave, and declared that the 
war-songs were sweet to his ears. He assured 
them that he, too, was for war, but that they 
must first heed the advice of Crazy Wolf, their 
medicine-man. Black Buffalo proposed, there- 
fore, that they should wait until the following 
day, when Crazy Wolf would make strong 
medicine and talk with the great war-bird, to 
learn if his vision were true. 


lOI 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


The camp was astir at dawn the following 
day, and in all parts of the village warriors 
were calling out their plans of battle and ask- 
ing for volunteers to follow them. Some had 
even painted and decorated themselves for the 
war-trail, and the boys were already bringing 
in the swift-footed war-ponies. 

At some little distance from the village 
stood Crazy Wolf, the medicine-man. His 
heart was sad and troubled, for he had 
dreamed another vision, and it was bad. 
Gloomy and depressed, his anxious eyes 
scanned the great expanse of sky for a sign of 
the great war-bird. Although he kept his 
lonely vigil within easy bow-shot of the camp, 
he was not disturbed, for the people knew that 
he was making medicine and praying to the 
Great Mystery, and at such times no one 
dared to intrude. 

Then a great shout rose from the village, as 
the war-bird was seen high up in the sky. It 
flew directly toward the Sioux camp, and as 
it drew near and hovered over the lodges a 
superstitious awe seized the people and kept 
them silent. They turned their faces to the 
heavens and watched the eagle with much 
anxiety. 

In the mean time Crazy Wolf had un- 
wrapped the medicine-pipe, and, having filled 
102 


THE WAR-EAGLE 


it, he smoked first to the four winds, and then 
held the pipe toward the great bird above him. 
The Sioux looked on in respectful silence as 
he went through his mysterious ceremonies. 
When he finally concluded his appeals and 
walked solemnly into the village, they formed 
the council-circle and waited impatiently to 
know his verdict. 

Crazy Wolf made another impressive ad- 
dress, in which he once more cautioned his 
people against taking the war-trail. He point- 
ed dramatically to the war-eagle, which was 
sailing in great, wide circles above them, and 
warned them that all who stepped beyond the 
boundaries of its flight must surely meet with 
misfortune. He said that the great bird was 
throwing enchanted circles about the village, 
to protect the people from some impending 
peril. Then with a final warning against 
overstepping this imaginary boundary. Crazy 
Wolf left the council and sought the seclusion 
of his lodge. 

Then several noted warriors rose and made 
speeches. These men claimed that they, too, 
had dreamed visions, and that always it was 
a call to war. They declared that the war- 
bird was waiting to guide them on the trail, 
and that as soon as they should start it would 
leave the village and accompany them. They 
103 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


argued that never before were the Blackfeet 
and Pawnees possessed of so many speedy 
ponies, and they declared that a raid against 
either of those successful rivals would bring 
them great wealth. They urged the assem- 
bled warriors to be men, and promised to lead 
them forth to easy victory. 

A little apart, a company of more excitable 
young braves were performing a war-dance, 
and the sound of their war-drums threw the 
assemblage into a frenzy. Shouting and 
shaking their weapons, the warriors left the 
council and joined in the dance. The old 
men chuckled gleefully and strutted about the 
dancers, reciting boastful tales of their own 
prowess in the days gone by. Even the women 
and children yielded to the excitement, and 
the great camp became one vast pandemo- 
nium of noise. 

Crazy Wolf heard it, and his heart filled 
with gloomy forebodings. He again un- 
wrapped the sacred pipe and, secure in the 
solitude of his lodge, made many smoke 
offerings to the good spirits, that his medicine 
might be made strong, so that his people 
would accept it and heed his counsel. 

Having finally roused themselves into an 
ecstasy of enthusiasm, the warriors formed 
into two great war-parties. They left the 
104 


THE WAR-EAGLE 


village, shouting the Sioux battle-cry and 
singing their war - songs. One company of 
fighting-men turned toward the country of 
the Blackfeet, the other disappeared toward 
the south in the direction of the distant Paw- 
nee camp. This second company, under the 
leadership of Black Buffalo himself, was the 
stronger, for all the Sioux were eager to fight 
the Pawnees. 

As the great host of warriors left the village 
the war-eagle hovered directly above the 
camp, and then, as they disappeared, the 
great bird uttered a piercing scream and 
sailed away in a different direction from that 
taken by the war-parties. The old men shook 
their heads solemnly at this sign, and Crazy 
Wolf stood at the door of his lodge and looked 
long and anxiously after the retreating bird. 

The warriors having departed, the village 
contained only the old men, the women and 
children, and the lads too young to venture 
upon the war-trail. They all sang war-songs 
and performed the customary ceremonies to 
bring success to the war-parties. 

Late that day, as the long shadows were 
falling, some boys ran into camp and said that 
they had seen three prairie-wolves far away 
on the rim of the plain. They declared that 
these animals did not act like the wolves 
105 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


usually do, but sat erect, some distance apart, 
and gazed long and steadily toward the Sioux 
lodges. When the boys mounted their ponies 
and galloped toward them the wolves disap- 
peared, and, although the young Sioux watched 
a long time, they saw nothing further of them. 

The medicine-man seemed much disturbed 
by the tale, and the women became greatly 
frightened. Black Bird, an old warrior, de- 
clared that the objects which the boys had 
seen were not wolves at all, but Pawnee scouts 
with the pelts of wolves thrown over them. 
He said that he had seen the Pawnees do this 
many times, and he declared that they would 
surely attack the Sioux camp and annihilate 
the . feeble garrison. 

Alarmed by the possibility. Crazy Wolf at 
Once called the old men in council, to devise 
■''some plan of defense. Several of the aged war- 
riors made speeches in which they boasted of 
their bravery and proclaimed their intention 
of fighting these despised enemies. At first it 
was decided to make a big fire of green wood 
and raise smoke signals to recall the war- 
parties. Upon refiection, however. Crazy Wolf 
declared against the plan. He said that no 
doubt the Pawnees were already within strik- 
ing distance and were only waiting to learn 
the exact strength and condition of the Sioux 
io6 


THE WAR-EAGLE 


forces. Once they saw a signal for help rising 
from the village, the medicine-man believed 
they would be sure to guess the truth, and 
then they would press their attack and win 
their victory, before the war-parties could re- 
turn. The old men speedily saw the wisdom 
of his words and the idea was abandoned. 

Then Crazy Wolf said that they must send 
away two riders, under cover of the night, one 
after each war-party. In the mean time, he 
ordered the old men to put on their war- 
bonnets and walk about at the edge of the 
camp, to give the impression that the village 
was filled with fighting-men. The older boys, 
too, dressed as warriors and displayed them- 
selves, in the hope that the Pawnee scouts 
would see them and believe that the camp was 
well protected. 

The day came to a close, and at twilighftwo 
lads went out and drove in a bunch of ponies, 
which were picketed near the camp. The old 
men asked if they had seen anything rhore of 
the strange wolves, and the boys replied that 
they had seen nothing of them. Crazy Wolf 
was somewhat relieved at this, and hoped that, 
after all, the three spies might have been alone. 

However, it was decided to send the two 
riders after the war-parties, and when it was 
dark Two Feathers, the young son of Black 
107 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


Buffalo, and White Antelope, the grandson 
of old Black Bird, were chosen for the danger- 
ous task. They were given the two fastest 
ponies, and, after Crazy Wolf had invoked the 
aid of the good spirits in their behalf, the lads 
stole from the camp and rode away upon their 
mission. The little band of Sioux in the vil- 
lage listened anxiously, but as the time passed 
and the silence continued the old men smiled 
and shook their heads in approval of the cau- 
tion displayed by the young messengers. 

The lads had gone scarcely an arrow-flight 
from camp, however, when two lithe forms 
rose from the plain and followed after each of 
the ponies. 

Then a brief, piercing yell rang through the 
night; and the people in the village heard and 
understood. It was the voice of White An- 
telope, and old Black Bird seized his weapons 
and started bravely to the rescue of his grand- 
son. Crazy Wolf ran after him and dragged 
him back into the camp. Then they listened 
for further sounds, but all was still. 

Both boys had gone about equal distances 
from camp when they were surrounded and 
pulled from their ponies. White Antelope had 
succeeded in emitting a piercing scream to 
warn his people, and then a hand was clapped 
across his mouth. Each young Sioux was 
io8 


THE WAR-EAGLE 


quickly bound and gagged and thrown across 
the back of his pony, which was led away by 
a small company of Pawnee scouts. 

Believing that the village was about to be 
attacked, Crazy Wolf armed every occupant, 
so that even the women and children took 
their places in line of battle with the old men 
and boys, who were chanting war-songs and 
boasting how they would kill the Pawnees. 
They waited a long time in nervous suspense, 
each moment expecting to hear the yells of 
their foes at the edge of the camp. However, 
as they heard nothing to rouse their suspi- 
cions, they began to hope that, for some rea- 
son, the Pawnees had postponed their attack. 

Two Feathers and White Antelope were 
greatly surprised when, after a long, hard ride 
across the plains, they were thrown to the 
ground, side by side, in the center of a large 
circle of Pawnee warriors. Having separated 
soon after leaving the Sioux village, neither 
had been aware that the other had been cap- 
tured, so that both were equally astonished. 
The buckskin gags which had been thrust into 
their mouths prevented them from convers- 
ing, and they lay upon the plain, glaring de- 
fiantly into the fierce, painted faces of their 
captors, who were crowding eagerly forward to 
have a look at them. 

J09 


WAR PATH and' HUNTING TRAIL 

After considerable discussion among the 
warriors the gags were finally taken from the 
boys’ mouths, and a warrior addressed them 
in their own tongue and warned them that 
the first outcry would end in their death. 
The young Sioux realized that the warning 
was useless, for they had nothing to gain by 
making the attempt. They had little doubt 
that they were far out of hearing of their own 
war-parties, and people in the village would 
not dare attempt to rescue them, even if they 
should hear their cries. Therefore they had 
every intention of remaining silent. 

It was soon evident to the lads that the 
Pawnee scouts had arrived after the two war- 
parties had left the Sioux village. Not know- 
ing the strength of their foes, therefore, the 
Pawnees were delaying their attack until they 
secured the information they desired. Now 
that they had captured the two young Sioux, 
they hoped to intimidate them into telling 
them what they wished to know. The war- 
rior who had spoken to the lads in the Sioux 
dialect began to question them. However, as 
the keen-witted lads purposely misconstrued 
many of his queries, the exasperated Pawnee 
learned nothing but what they wished him to 
know. To his oft-repeated question of how 
many fighting-men were sheltered in the camp, 
no 


THE WAR-EAGLE 


the lads pointed solemnly to the stars and 
then to the grass of the prairie, to give the 
idea of numbers. At that boast the Pawnees 
accused them of speaking with a double 
tongue, and began to threaten them, but the 
youthful captives only shrugged their shoul- 
ders and pretended not to understand. Then 
they were tied upon their ponies and sent to 
the distant Pawnee camp under a guard of 
four warriors. 

In the mean time the people in the Sioux 
village had about abandoned hope. Old 
Black Bird went about like one in a dream, 
mourning for his grandson. The old warriors 
held a council and said: ‘‘See, the medicine 
of Crazy Wolf was good, and we should have 
listened. We have closed our ears to the 
warning of the great war-bird. It is bad. We 
will never see our people again.” Crazy Wolf 
made many smoke offerings, and conducted 
all sorts of mysterious ceremonies to insure 
the safety of the camp and the speedy return 
of the war-parties. When the long night 
finally passed and daylight came to strength- 
en their courage, he summoned all the people, 
and smoked many pipes to the Great Mystery 
that he might pity them and send their war- 
riors to help them. 

Still the Pawnees delayed their attack. 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


Many scouts had been sent to spy upon the 
Sioux, but they had returned and reported 
that they had seen many warriors walking 
about among the lodges. Thus the trick of 
Crazy Wolf had so far been successful. 

During all this time the two Sioux war- 
parties were riding steadily on their way. The 
company which had gone north against the 
Blackfeet passed the first night in the bottom 
of a wooded ravine. Feeling sure of victory, 
the warriors danced and sang until almost 
daylight. Before the sun was up, they were 
again on the march. They had not gone far, 
however, when one of the chiefs stopped his 
pony and pointed to the sky. Looking up, 
the Sioux beheld the war-eagle circling over 
them. They were overjoyed, for they felt 
sure that it was a good omen. 

As they traveled on, however, they saw that, 
instead of following them, the great war-bird 
remained behind, circling slowly over the spot 
where they had camped. Then some of the 
warriors recalled the warning of Crazy Wolf, 
the medicine-man. Several began to have 
fears, and urged a speedy return to the village. 
Their companions laughed scornfully at them 
and accused them of having weak hearts and 
the courage of papooses. 

While the members of the war-party were 

II2 


THE WAR-EAGLE 


arguing, however, the eagle uttered a loud cry 
and sailed away in the direction of the Sioux 
village. Then the bravest among them lost 
heart, and the war-leader ordered a halt, that 
they might hold a council. Many speeches 
were made, and all the speakers declared that 
their medicme was bad, and that, therefore, 
they should heed the words of Crazy Wolf and 
return to their lodges. The plan was speedily 
decided upon, and the company of brave 
Sioux fighting-men reluctantly turned their 
ponies and started back toward the village. 

In the mean time, the four Pawnee war- 
riors had reached the Pawnee camp with their 
youthful prisoners. A few warriors and some 
old men came forward to meet them, and when 
they recognized the captives as Sioux they 
began to shout and dance with joy. Two 
Feathers and White Antelope were dragged 
from their ponies and hustled to the center 
of the camp. The Pawnees seemed greatly 
astonished at their youthfulness, and some of 
the old squaws shook their heads with pity. 
The Sioux looked bravely about them, and at 
a sign from one of their guards they seated 
themselves on a great log before the fire. 

Far away to the north the Sioux war-party 
which had turned back from the expedition 
against the Blackfeet was galloping wildly 
8 113 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


across the plain. When they saw that the 
war-eagle continually flew in sight of them 
and led them toward the Sioux village, they 
were convinced that a calamity of some sort 
threatened the distant camp. Wild with anx- 
iety, they urged their ponies at top speed in 
an endeavor to reach the village before the 
disaster occurred. The day was far gone 
when they finally came in sight of the lodges. 
Then they saw a great company of horsemen 
far out on the plain. Quickly drawing into 
concealment behind a high butte, the alarmed 
Sioux sent scouts forward to reconnoiter. 

The Pawnees were gathered in council. 
Having failed to gather any important infor- 
mation from the youthful captives whom they 
had sent to the Pawnee village, they deter- 
mined to swoop upon the Sioux camp under 
cover of darkness. They were chanting their 
war-songs and brandishing their weapons, in 
an effort to intimidate any ®f their foes who 
might be watching them. 

Within the Sioux village. Crazy Wolf was 
addressing the little group of feeble defenders, 
and urging them to be brave. He knew that 
with the falling of darkness the dreaded at- 
tack would take place, and he had little doubt 
that all of them would be speedily annihilated, 
men, women, and children together. He knew 


THE WAR-EAGLE 


only too well the hatred and ferocity of the 
war-like Pawnees, and he was sure that no 
one could hope for mercy when once those 
fierce warriors had entered the great circle of 
lodges. Most of the women were already 
filled with panic, and the little children were 
crying piteously. The courageous old war- 
riors, however, and many of the boys were 
ready and eager to fight. They were singing 
and dancing and calling upon the Great Mys- 
tery to lead them to victory. 

In the far-off Pawnee camp. Two Feathers 
and White Antelope had been securely bound 
and thrown into a great buffalo-skin lodge. 
There they were to be confined until the vast 
war-party of Pawnee warriors returned from 
their expedition against the Sioux. Then their 
fate would be speedily decided upon and they 
would be led forth to meet it. 

Just inside the entrance of the lodge in 
which they were imprisoned sat the solitary 
Pawnee warrior who guarded them. He spoke 
a few words of the Sioux dialect, and the 
lads believed that at some time he might 
have been a prisoner in the Sioux camp. He 
questioned them about their tribe, and when 
they pretended to misunderstand him he be- 
gan to slap and pinch them. The boys ac- 
cepted the punishment without flinching, 
115 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


however, and he finally took compassion upon 
them and let them have peace. 

Although the lads managed to say a few 
words to each other from time to time, they 
made no plans for escape. They believed that 
for the present, at least, it was impossible. 
Their lone guard never took his eyes from 
them, and the slightest move to free them- 
selves would have been instantly detected. 
Therefore the captives dismissed the idea 
from their minds and turned their thoughts 
to their people. They wondered whether the 
Pawnees had already captured the Sioux camp 
and destroyed its feeble defenders. Then they 
thought about the Sioux war-parties, and 
wondered what had become of the one which 
had set out for the very camp they were in. 
They refused to believe that Black Buffalo, 
the great Sioux war-chief, would turn back. 
Then they thought of their own plight, and 
began to speculate upon their chance of es- 
cape if Black Buffalo and his warriors should 
surround and attack the village. They feared 
in that event their stalwart guard would drive 
his knife into their hearts to prevent them 
from falling into the hands of their own people. 
Thus they lay and thought, and the long day 
drew toward an end. 

At sunset a Sioux scout left the edge of the 

Ii6 


THE WAR-EAGLE 


camp and crawled cautiously into the sage. 
Making his way, snakewise, over the ground 
till he reached the spot where his pony was 
concealed, he mounted and raced away to 
join Black Buffalo and his band of warriors, 
who were hidden in a dry stream-bed far out 
on the plain. 

The few warriors who had been left to 
guard the camp gathered at the edge of the 
village to admire the brilliant beauty of the 
western sky. As they feasted their eyes upon 
the glorious spectacle, they saw a great eagle 
suddenly swoop from the clouds and fly di- 
rectly toward the Pawnee village. Then the 
thunder of many hoofs echoed across the plain, 
and, turning in alarm, the astounded Pawnees 
saw a great company of Sioux bearing down 
upon them. Straight for the camp rode Black 
Buffalo, who had learned from his scouts that 
his son was a prisoner, and after him raced the 
gallant company of Sioux warriors. 

Hearing the commotion, the Pawnee who 
guarded the boys ran outside to learn what 
was happening. When he saw the Sioux 
sweeping upon the camp he jumped into the 
lodge, knife in hand, to end the lives of the 
helpless captives. As he entered, however, he 
was set upon and quickly overpowered by 
three Sioux warriors, who had entered the 
117 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 

lodge by slashing an opening in the rear wall 
when the guard rushed outside. Fearful for 
the lives of his young tribesmen when once the 
Pawnees heard the war-cry of his warriors, 
Black Buffalo had sent picked scouts to con- 
ceal themselves at the border of the camp. 
These warriors had been ordered to wait until 
the Sioux made their charge, when they were to 
rush into the camp and rescue the prisoners. 

The Sioux raid was completely successful, 
and Black Buffalo soon found himself in pos- 
session of the Pawnee camp. He did not tarry 
long, for Two Feathers told him of the des- 
perate plight of the Sioiix village. Calling to 
his warriors to follow him, he rode from the 
village and raced wildly across the plain to 
the rescue of his people. Beside him rode 
White Antelope and Two Feathers, who were 
determined to revenge themselves upon the 
foes who had caused them so much discomfort. 

The other Sioux war-party had already 
reached the village. Having remained in 
hiding until they saw the Pawnees making 
preparations to attack the camp at the end 
of the day, the Sioux dashed from their hiding- 
place and raced their ponies toward the vil- 
lage. Before the astonished Pawnees recov- 
ered from their surprise the company of 
horsemen had gained the shelter of the lodges. 

ii8 


THE WAR-EAGLE 


Believing that those warriors were reinforce- 
ments which had been summoned in some 
mysterious manner by the Sioux in the village, 
the Pawnees held another council and decided 
to postpone the attack until night. 

Crazy Wolf and his little garrison were over- 
joyed at the arrival of the war-party. En- 
couraged by this substantial addition to their 
numbers, some of the old warriors ran outside 
of the village to shout insults and challenges 
at the Pawnees. Kicking Horse, a famous 
fighting-chief, took command of the camp and 
sent out scouts to warn him of the approach 
of the enemy. 

As the night wore on Black Buffalo and 
his gallant band raced wildly through the 
dark on their way to the Sioux village. 
Guided by the stars, they rode along in grim 
silence, each rider filled with a stem resolve 
to avenge himself upon his hated foes. 

Shortly before daylight the Sioux scouts, 
who had been sent out from the village, 
brought word that the Pawnees had dis- 
mounted and were approaching the camp on 
foot. As soon as he heard this. Kicking Horse 
posted his warriors to defend the village. 
Then, having taken their positions, they 
waited calmly for their enemies to attack 
them. Not a sound disturbed the quiet of 
119 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 

the night, and the Siotix wondered whether 
their foes had again delayed the assault. 

Then a fierce Pawnee yell vibrated through 
the night and a long line of painted warriors 
ran toward the camp. A moment later the 
village resounded with the sounds of combat. 
The shouts and whoops of the warriors, the 
sharp twang of bowstrings, the ominous hum 
of arrows, and the distracted cries and shrieks 
of the women and children united in one great, 
discordant din that rolled far out over the 
slumbering plain. 

The fighting was fast and furious, and, al- 
though they were greatly outnumbered, the 
Sioux held their ground with great stubborn- 
ness. Three times the Pawnees charged right 
up to the very lodges, and each time they were 
driven back by the courageous Sioux. 

Then the besiegers withdrew, carrying their 
dead and wounded with them. The Sioux’ 
loss had been comparatively slight, owing to 
the protection which they had received from 
the lodges. They knew that they had inflicted 
punishment upon their enemies, and they were 
highly elated at their success. They believed 
that the Pawnees would retire until daylight, 
and, after posting scouts to give warning of 
another attack, the main company of warriors 
devoted themselves to celebrating the victory. 

120 


THE WAR-EAGLE 


When the first streak of daylight stretched 
across the sky the Pawnees mounted their 
ponies and galloped wildly toward the vil- 
lage. They raced madly about the camp, 
shaking their weapons and yelling like de- 
mons. Then they suddenly wheeled and made 
their charge; but the alert Sioux were ready 
for them and drove them off with consider- 
able loss. 

While the besiegers were manoeuvering for 
a new attack, a long line of black objects ap- 
peared far away to the south. The Pawnees 
saw it and crowded together in anxious coun- 
cil. The Sioux saw it, too, and raised a 
mighty shout of defiance, for they knew it 
was Black Buffalo and his great war-party of 
picked fighting men. 

The Pawnees, alarmed and undecided at 
sight of this great company of Sioux, wavered 
on the verge of panic. Black Buffalo and his 
warriors had strung out in a long line across 
the plain to block the retreat of their foes. 
Then, as the disheartened Pawnees turned 
from the village. Kicking Horse and his war- 
riors mounted their ponies and dashed from 
the camp to attack them from the rear. 

Roused to desperation, the Pawnees fought 
like demons to escape from the trap in which 
they found themselves. However, the Sioux 

I I2I 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


gradually closed in upon them from front and 
rear. Then began a terrific hand-to-hand en- 
gagement which continued until the Pawnees 
finally fought their way through the Sioux 
lines and scattered over the prairie in wild 
disorder. The Sioux gave chase, but as they 
had already inflicted a terrible punishment, 
and as the Pawnee ponies were fresher than 
their own, they soon abandoned the pursuit 
and returned to the village. 

When the people were gathered together to 
mourn for those who had been killed in the 
fight. Crazy Wolf rose solemnly and pointed 
to the sky. The Sioux looked up and saw the 
great war-eagle sailing about over the village. 
Then they said: “The medicine of Crazy 
Wolf is good. We will listen to his words.'" 


VII 


LITTLE HAWK, THE SIOUX 

L ittle hawk, Hke other Sioux boys of 
j his age, had killed his share of rabbits, 
hawks, and similar game, but, although such 
exploits gave him experience, they did not en- 
title him to the honor he sought. He desired 
to be a warrior. To attain that exalted po- 
sition a candidate had to go forth alone and 
show his courage. One of the accepted proofs 
was the killing of a grizzly bear. Therefore, 
Little Hawk determined to fulfil the require- 
ment and claim the title. 

He left the village at daylight, alone and on 
foot, and made his way boldly across the 
prairie, toward the distant range of snow- 
capped mountains. Frosts had already de- 
scended to the level country, and the young 
Sioux believed that the bears were moving 
upward to their dens. For two days Little 
Hawk traveled across the flat, sage-grown 
wastes, and the second night he arrived at 
the base of the mountains and went into camp. 
123 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


The next day he began to climb. Up, and 
up, and still higher up he toiled. The trees 
became fewer and smaller, rocks were every- 
where, and great patches of snow appeared 
in the gullies. Little Hawk was compelled to 
stop for breath. Seated precariously upon a 
narrow platform of rock, he surveyed the scene 
spread out before him. Far below, the prairie 
held undisputed sway to the horizon. For 
some time the young Sioux fixed his attention 
on a cluster of distant objects which he 
thought were buffaloes. Then he resumed his 
climb, and finally came to the edge of a huge 
snow-field, which extended to the very sum- 
mit. 

It seemed as if he were climbing to the spirit 
world. The lad had never been so far above 
his native plain. Down there it was still late 
summer, and the air was filled with the song 
of birds and the perfume of fiowers. But on 
the mountainside it was winter — he had en- 
tered the perpetual abode of snow and ice. 
His moccasins were wet and frozen, and climb- 
ing became difficult and dangerous. 

Little Hawk had about decided to descend 
to the more hospitable plain when he sud- 
denly came upon a trail of the animal he 
sought. He had never seen such monster 
tracks, but, recalling stories he had heard, he 
124 


LITTLE HAWK, THE SIOUX 

knew the footprints must have been made 
by a grizzly. 

Excited and eager, the Sioux followed the 
trail. It led him across the face of treacherous 
snow-fields, along narrow, ice-coated ledges, 
and around dizzy, projecting barriers of rock. 
The bear had evidently been hunting the 
white sheep, and Little Hawk noted that its 
trail led along one of their narrow, uncertain 
paths. The tracks continued along a perpen- 
dicular wall of ice-crusted rock, and the Sioux 
followed cautiously, for a slip meant a fall to 
death in the canon several thousand feet 
below. 

Farther on a projecting bulge of the rocky 
wall cut deep into the trail, but the bear had 
managed in some manner to crawl around it. 
Little Hawk found holes for his hands and 
feet and was about to climb past the ob- 
struction, when the crash of a dislodged 
boulder caused him to draw back suspiciously. 
‘‘The bear is returning on its trail.’' That 
was what he thought. 

The Sioux was in a perilous predicament. 
Unable to turn around, he was trapped on 
the narrow ledge of slippery rock. Step by 
step, he worked his way cautiously backward, 
in the hope of reaching a wider space. Then 
he heard something coming behind him. He 
125 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 

turned his face, and was horrified to see an 
immense grizzly. 

It was impossible to turn and confront the 
animal, and to climb around the jutting point 
of rock without knowing what was on the 
other side seemed equally foolhardy. The 
perplexed Sioux gazed hopelessly down into 
space, and then up at the towering wall of 
seamless rock. His only choice was to round 
the projection. And he must do it at once, 
for the grizzly was advancing and growling 
threateningly. 

Little Hawk slung his bow across his back 
and attempted the hazardous feat. He dug 
his fingers and toes into narrow cracks in the 
granite and, straining every muscle in his 
active young body, crawled slowly around the 
obstruction and alighted safely on the other 
side. 

He had scarcely recovered from his exer- 
tions and fitted an arrow before an angry 
snarl warned him of danger. Glancing toward 
the sound, the startled youth saw a second 
grizzly coming toward him. It was not as 
gigantic as the one on the other side of the 
rock, but it seemed plenty large enough at 
such close quarters. 

Little Hawk crowded against the rocky wall 
and, taking careful aim, sent three arrows into 
126 


LITTLE HAWK, THE SIOUX 

the body of the bear. Roaring savagely, it 
rose unsteadily upon its hind legs and bore 
down upon its assailant. 

Unable to move from the narrow trail, the 
Sioux determined to kill the infuriated crea- 
ture before it reached him. Three times more 
his bowstring twanged, and each arrow came 
to a stop in the powerful body. The last one 
pierced the heart, and the savage brute lunged 
forward and slid to within a few inches of the 
young hunter. The grizzly was dead. 

When he was sure that life had entirely de- 
parted, Little Hawk crawled over the carcass 
and wheeled to face the protruding rock. He 
believed that the second bear would eventu- 
ally clamber around it, and hoped to add its 
scalp to his belt. Encouraged by his first suc- 
cess, the lad felt confident of killing the larger 
bear. 

Finally the great beast appeared. It began 
to work its way carefully around the obstruc- 
tion. This was the moment for which Little 
Hawk had been waiting. His hands worked 
like lightning and he sent a veritable shower 
of arrows into the body of the struggling bear. 
Weakened and mortally wounded, the doomed 
brute toppled off into space and crashed to 
its death. 

Having given the war-cry of his people, for 
127 


WAR ^PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 

he was now a warrior, Little Hawk set about 
skinning the first bear. He rolled the pelt 
into a bundle and fastened it to his back. 
Then he pushed the body from the trail to lie 
beside his other victim on the rocks below. 

Little Hawk had accomplished his purpose, 
his mission had been successful, and, with a 
light heart, he started down the mountain. 
The snow-fields proved even more dangerous 
to descend than to climb, but he finally zig- 
zagged his way safely across them and en- 
tered the timber. The Sioux continued to de- 
scend imtil he came to a rock-bound spring of 
purest water, and there he camped. 

It was almost dark, and he walked out upon 
a commanding point of rock to search the 
prairie with his eyes. As he did so something 
drew his attention at once, and he dropped 
prone to avoid detection. Raising his head 
cautiously, the Sioux gazed long and anx- 
iously. 

His keen eyes had discovered a small party 
of horsemen some distance out on the plain. 
They seemed to be riding toward the very 
mountain on which he had hunted. He felt 
sure they were not Sioux, but was unable to 
positively identify them in the gathering gloom. 
From the size of the company and their wav- 
ing head-dresses. Little Hawk feared they 
128 


LITTLE HAWK, THE SIOUX 

were on the war-trail. But why did they 
bring their ponies to the mountains? Perhaps 
they were fleeing from a larger war-party — 
possibly his own people were piursuing them. 
The yoimg Sioux determined to watch and 
learn as much as possible concerning the ap- 
proaching horsemen. 

The riders Anally halted at the edge of the 
timber. Several dismounted and disappeared 
into the forest. Then two of the party wheeled 
their mounts and galloped away on their back 
trail. Little Hawk was convinced that a pur- 
suing party was not so very far in their rear. 
He believed that these riders had been sent to 
watch for its appearance. 

The Sioux feared he had come in contact 
with a band of Pawnee scouts. In that case 
he was in an unenviable position. The new- 
comers would probably make a thorough 
search of the mountain and would be sure to 
discover his trail across the snow-flelds. He 
would be unable to leave the timber if they 
posted guards along the edge of the plain, and 
they would beat the mountainside and shoot 
him down when he was forced from cover. 

When it was dark the ponies were picketed 
within the heavy shadows at the base of the 
mountain. Then the warriors scattered 
through the woods. Little Hawk feared 

9 129 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


they had already found some sign of him and 
were endeavoring to drive him from his hiding- 
place. 

As the night wore on the alarmed Sioux 
grew more apprehensive. He remained in 
hiding, fearful to move lest he should run 
into a prowling enemy in the darkness. He 
heard owls hooting and calling from various 
parts of the forest, and he knew that his en- 
emies were signaling to one another. Little 
Hawk believed they were searching for 
him, and he determined on a daring plan of 
escape. 

Crawling cautiously from his shelter, he 
stole noiselessly through the dark, silent 
woods. Stopping at frequent intervals to 
listen, he worked his way carefully down the 
mountainside, toward the prairie. A fright- 
ened deer jumped from cover close beside 
him, and Little Hawk leaped back, knife in 
hand, ready to close with an expected enemy. 
The deer continued its wild flight and the 
Sioux cunningly changed his course. He 
feared that when his enemies heard the deer 
they would back-track to learn the cause of 
its fright. 

Little Hawk was close upon the edge of the 
plain when he heard the steady advance of a 
foe. A slight crackling of dead leaves, the 


LITTLE HAWK, illE SIOUX 

snap of a brittle twi^ leiT vded the passing of 
moccasined feet. T ^ Sic^ix concealed himself 
to await the arrive ’ r t!>e unseen prowler. 

Then the noise r j ' ' l within arm's-length 
of him, and, peer : rorn his hiding-place. 
Little Hawk cauf' ; t of a figure moving 
beneath the tre / g it instantly disap- 
peared as the tr:. sed on up the moun- 

tain. The youn ax drew a breath of relief. 

When he I allowed the mysterious 
stranger suffic time to be well on his way. 
Little Hawk .a and hastened to the border 
of the plain 'e crawled slowly along, from 
tree to tree m bush to bush, stopping every 
few feet L ,ain sight or sound of his foes. 
A short c i nee in advance were the ponies. 
His one / .nee of escape lay in securing one 
of : c-footed animals and riding away 
und'*^' er of darkness. It was a dangerous 
uvicle'* aking, for he knew that the ponies 
V. be gua|fded by vigilant Pawnee war- 
: s who would promptly set upon him and 
g've the alarm. However, Little Hawk de- 
le i'mined to run the risk. 

The impatient stamp of a hoof caused him 
!c> lie close to the ground. Almost afraid to 
breathe, he raised his head and peered for- 
T rard into the darkness. He saw nothing. His 
heart beat fast with excitement, his breath 
131 


WAR PAIH AND HUNTING TRAIL 

came in quick, shot’t gasps, and his temples 
throbbed. Litth.‘ H:: v;k believed that the su- 
preme moment had come. Inch by inch he 
advanced. Then a fox apped, and he halted 
— perhaps it was a si r : 

The loud snort of r 'ghtened pony and 
the crackling of brush .1 the startled animal 
endeavored to escape announced his ap- 
proach. Little Hawk rose, an with his knife 
severed the bonds of the captive pony. Then, 
as the animal wheeled toward the open plain, 
he grasped its mane and jumped upon its back. 
A solitary figure rose out of the darkness to 
bar his path, but his knife-hand the 

fatal half-circle, and the way was cleS'ri. d. 

A series of wild yells sounded at the e of 
the timber. Answering cries came fr r ^he 
mountainside. Then the noise of po- 
hoofs rose behind him, and the Pawne '/ai- 
cry rang through the night. 

Little Hawk soon discovered that h^: liad 
chosen a good mount, and he urged it tc top 
speed. He hoped to gain a good lead and then 
abruptly change his course and lose his pur 
suers in the blackness. He rode desperately, 
for his safety depended upon winning the 
first wild sprint of the long chase. The Sioux 
realized that his pursuers would be guided 
solely by the noise from his pony’s hoofs. 

132 


LITTLE HAWK, THE SIOUX 

They would ride furiously to keep within 
sound of him. Once out of hearing he would 
be safe imtil daylight showed them the trail. 
And by that time he hoped to be many miles 
away. His task, therefore, was to gain a suf- 
ficient lead during the hours of darkness, and, 
bending low, he urged the wiry little pony to 
still greater trials of speed. 

The sounds behind him increased, and 
Little Hawk knew that the entire war-party 
had joined the pursuit. But the Pawnee pony 
responded nobly to his frantic appeals, and 
the Sioux realized that he was gaining upon 
his pursuers. He knew that no horse could 
maintain the pace he was urging. Then he 
tried the experiment. Turning from his 
course, he rode swiftly away at right angles, 
hoping his pursuers would dash past the turn- 
ing-point and lose him. 

Great was the delight of the Sioux when 
he heard the discordant whoops of his pur- 
suers far away on the false trail. They had 
overshot the mark, and he was safe tmtil 
dawn. 

Then the cries ceased, and Little Hawk 
knew that the Pawnees had discovered their 
blunder. They were making a silent, careful 
search for his trail. But they were unlikely to 
find it before daybreak, and, assured by the 
133 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


thought, the Sioux determined to keep riding 
through the balance of the night. 

Daybreak found Little Hawk many miles 
from the scene of his exploit. He had again 
changed his course, and was making directly 
for the Sioux camp. The little buckskin pony 
had subsided into a shuffling half -trot. The 
daring young rider knew that a group of hard- 
riding, keen-eyed Pawnees were following, like 
a pack of wolves, on his trail. The idea caused 
him great uneasiness, and he urged his weary 
mount impatiently. 

All day the tired pony and its tireless rider 
traveled toward the great Sioux camp. They 
passed bands of inquisitive antelope, towns of 
chattering prairie-dogs, vast herds of buffa- 
loes, all unheeded. Little Hawk’s one ob- 
ject was the consuming of distance, the 
shortening of that vast expanse of shelter- 
less plain which stretched between him and 
his goal. 

The day wore on, and with the passing of 
each hoiu: the faltering little pony weakened. 
The half -trot dwindled to a slow unsteady 
walk, as with hanging head and listless glassy 
eyes the poor beast staggered along through 
the sage. The Sioux dismounted and walked 
ahead. As he trudged wearily along he lis- 
tened apprehensively for the dreaded war- 
134 


LITTLE HAWK, THE SIOUX 

cry of his enemies. Should they come within 
sight of him his doom would be sealed. 

The twilight descended, and still the Sioux 
walked before his mount. Rested by his 
thoughtfulness, the buckskin recuperated. It 
held its head erect and quickened its stride. 
Little Hawk saw the improvement and a great 
hope revived in his breast, for the Sioux camp 
was not far off. 

When darkness finally blotted out the hori- 
zon, and night settled down, the pony sud- 
denly stopped and turned its head expectantly 
into the wind. Before the alarmed Sioux 
could grasp its nose it wheeled and whinnied 
shrilly. The noise of hoof -beats came in reply. 
Little Hawk mounted in despair, and with 
thumps and kicks urged the buckskin into a 
feeble gallop. 

Again the Pawnee yell rang through the 
night, and the unfortunate Sioux shuddered. 
He kicked the protruding ribs of the little 
buckskin and pounded its head with his fists. 
Darkness concealed him from his pursuers and 
he still hoped to escape and reach the Sioux 
camp. 

But his enemies were fast closing the gap. 
Believing that he could not escape, they were 
yelling triumphantly. The exhausted pony 
was doing its best, but the race seemed hope- 
135 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


less. An arrow fell just behind the staggering 
beast, another thudded into the ground beside 
him, and Little Hawk saw death approaching. 
His pursuers were at his very heels, and the 
disheartened Sioux abandoned all hope. Then 
an arrow found him and biumed its way deep 
into his shoulder. 

With the pain of the wound the spirit of 
his people came to him. Turning his mount, 
he uttered the defiant war-cry of the Sioux 
nation, and fitting arrow after arrow to his 
bow, sent them at his nearest pursuers. The 
fighting fury was aroused, and it speedily 
drove out fear. Unafraid and scornful, the 
youth fought like a demon. Time after time 
his own yell answered those of the Pawnees. 
Twice more he felt the sting of arrows in his 
flesh. His indomitable will entered into the 
pony beneath him, and it increased its speed. 
Twisting and turning his active body, the 
wounded rider sent his arrows singing through 
the darkness. 

Unwilling to come to close quarters, the wily 
Pawnees remained at a safe distance and en- 
deavored to kill either the horse or the rider 
by a lucky shot with one of their arrows. They 
flanked the Sioux, but were imable to gain suf- 
ficiently to head him off. 

Like an animal at bay, the young warrior 
136 


LITTLE HAWK, THE SIOUX 

fought desperately for his life. When he had 
shot his last arrow he drew his knife and de- 
termined to use it if his enemies came within 
range of his arm. He continued to yell and 
release his bowstring, and the Pawnees were 
deceived by the clever ruse and believed that 
he was still sending his arrows against them. 
Little Hawk raised his face and asked the 
Great Mystery for strength sufficient to reach 
the Sioux camp alive. 

Suddenly his own whoop was echoed from 
the darkness, and half a hundred throats 
yelled encouragement to the faltering lad. 
Then he heard the rumble of many hoof -beats, 
and a great company of Sioux warriors 
charged past him. The fighting was fast and 
savage. The weakened youth would have 
ridden his mount into the thick of it, but he 
was suddenly swept from the back of the fall- 
ing buckskin. Little Hawk found himself 
struggling feebly in the arms of old Chief 
Thunder Hawk, his father. The latter imme- 
diately attended the wounds of his son and 
carried him to the village in triumph. 

When the victorious Sioux war-party re- 
turned there was feasting and dancing for 
several days. Little Hawk rose in council and 
told of his adventures. He exhibited the 
necessary trophies to prove his prowess, and 
137 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


among them was the faithful little buckskin 
which he had captured from the Pawnees. 
Then he claimed the title of warrior, and the 
people instantly acclaimed him and rechris- 
tened him Wounded Arrow. 


VIII 


LITTLE BEAVER, SON OF ROARING BEAR 

T he Crows were at war with their old-time 
enemies, the Blackfeet. The latter had 
raided the Crow village and besides killing 
many people and running off a large herd of 
ponies they had carried away Roaring Bear, 
the great Crow war-chief. It was a stinging 
defeat, a severe shock to their vanity, and the 
Crows were downcast. The old men met and 
called for a council; they wished to be re- 
venged. 

The war-drums summoned the people from 
the lodges, and when they had gathered the 
council - circle was formed. The pipe was 
lighted and passed. Then old White Bird, the 
medicine-man, addressed the Crows. He de- 
clared that a great calamity had befallen them, 
and recited all the details of their recent de- 
feat at the hands of the hated Blackfeet. He 
reminded them that their renowned chief was 
a prisoner in the hostile camp. He pictured 
139 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 

the tortures that would be inflicted upon him. 
He said he saw many Crow scalps hanging 
from Blackfoot lodges. He asked to see a like 
number of Blackfoot scalps in the Crow vil- 
lage. He recalled the insults of the Blackfeet, 
who had called them women. Then he urged 
them to avenge themselves. 

Little Beaver, the yoimg son of Roaring 
Bear, cast aside his robe and rose to his 
feet. The people were astonished into silence. 
He was but a lad, and had no voice in the 
council. They marveled at his audacity, but 
their surprise made them curious and they 
allowed him to talk. 

The youth reminded them that he was the 
son of Roaring Bear, their chief. He said he 
had had a vision and that his father had ap- 
peared and commanded him to talk to his 
people. Little Beaver told them their chief 
was still alive and that he had outlined a 
plan for his rescue. The young orator de- 
clared that he had been commissioned to un- 
dertake the daring stratagem. He warned 
the Crows against sending a war-party to the 
Blackfoot village, and said if they did this 
the prisoner would be killed at once. He 
made known his intention of starting at day- 
light on a solitary journey to the Blackfoot 
camp. He declared that his medicine had 

140 


LITTLE BEAVER, SON OF ROARING BEAR 

been made strong, and assured them that he 
would be successful. Little Beaver promised 
to retiun with his father before the fifth sun 
set. If he failed to do so, he said, they might 
send a war-party to avenge the deaths of 
Roaring Bear and himself. 

The Crows were much impressed by the 
words of this untried young brave, and many 
noted warriors talked in his behalf. Finally 
it was decided that Little Beaver should be 
allowed to go to the Blackfoot camp. 

That night he went to the medicine-lodge, 
and White Bird made many smokes to the 
Good Spirit for the safe return of Little Bea- 
ver and Roaring Bear. He taught the lad 
many mysteries and gave him much good ad- 
vice, and Little Beaver remained in the lodge 
most of the night. 

When daylight came he mounted his father’s 
favorite war-pony, which had somehow es- 
caped the Blackfoot raid, and rode from the 
village. He carried the bow, quiver, and war- 
shield of Roaring Bear and his own knife and 
robe. His long hair, for which the Crows were 
noted, was carefully oiled and braided, and 
in his scalp-lock was a single eagle feather. 
Little Beaver was a handsome youth, active 
and sinewy, and the people looked admiringly 
after him as he rode away on his first war- 
141 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


trail. Old White Bird cackled joyously and 
said: ^‘He is the son of his father; he will 
return.” 

The Blackfoot camp 'was situated at the 
base of the mountains; it was a full two days’ 
journey toward the rising sun. By the time 
the great red orb showed in the sky Little 
Beaver had ridden from the sight of his own 
village. One by one the glories of a new day 
unfolded themselves, and the young brave 
found it good to be alive. The cool air from 
the mountains swept his brow; the spicy 
breath of the sage delighted his nostrils; and 
the sunshine warmed his heart and made him 
bold. He believed that his medicine had been 
made strong, and he gave thanks to the Good 
Spirit. 

It was his first war-trail, and Little Beaver 
was unusually cautious. His keen eyes con- 
stantly searched the plain for some sign of 
danger. He knew that marauding war-parties 
of Blackfeet were abroad and he wished to 
avoid them. Although he saw bands of an- 
telope and large herds of buffaloes, he dared 
not turn aside to hunt them. He had sufficient 
jerked meat to last him on his journey, and he 
was anxious to reach the Blackfoot camp as 
soon as possible. 

When the sun was low in the western sky 
142 


LITTLE BEAVER, SON OF ROARING BEAR 

Little Beaver came upon a grove of aspens 
which gave promise of a water-hole. He was 
careful to ride about the circle of trees for a 
thorough reconnaissance before he trusted 
himself within arrow-range. He feared that 
enemies might be hiding there, and he deter- 
mined to take no unnecessary risks. When 
he failed to discover any signs of concealed 
foes he rode away at an angle and dropped 
to the side of his mount. Thus sheltered, he 
approached the water-hole. He found it un- 
occupied, and threw himself down to drink. 
There was an abundance of grass for his horse 
and water and shelter for himself, so Little 
Beaver decided to spend the night there. 

When night had thrown its black mantle 
over the earth Little Beaver walked to the 
edge of the timber and stood to listen at the 
border of the plain. High above him the 
stars twinkled and blazed the trail to the 
Spirit Land, and he wondered if his father had 
already started on that journey; at his back 
the restless leaves of the aspens trembled and 
crackled; at his feet he heard the stealthy 
passage of the night-wind through the sage. 
Then he started, for he heard something more. 
Hoof -beats echoed faintly through the dark- 
ness — some one was riding toward the water- 
hole. 


143 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 

Little Beaver turned in panic and hurried 
to the head of his pony. Fearful that the ani- 
mal might call and betray him, he smothered 
its nose with a piece of buckskin. Then he 
led it carefully away from the water-hole. 

Once on the prairie, the Crow restrained his 
pony and compelled it to walk. He knew 
that galloping hoofs would be instantly heard 
by the approaching horsemen. His one chance 
of escape was flight. He planned to lead his 
pony quietly out of ear-shot, and then to 
mount and ride until daylight. 

But suddenly he halted in dismay, for the 
riders had swerved from their course. They 
were evidently circling the water-hole in an 
endeavor to learn if it contained visitors. If 
he were trapped between them and the little 
patch of timber he would undoubtedly be 
discovered. He must lead his pony far enough 
away to avoid being taken in their loop. 

Pulling and urging. Little Beaver dragged 
forward his unwilling mount. Nearer and 
nearer came the galloping ponies and their un- 
known riders, and his own horse rebelled at 
the sound and would have loitered to meet its 
kind. The lad became panic-stricken. He 
was directly in the path of the approaching 
riders. With almost superhuman strength he 
pulled the resisting brute from the line of 
144 


LITTLE BEAVER, SON OF ROARING BEAR 

danger. Then, as he stood trembling at his 
horse’s head, he heard his enemies race past 
within bow-shot of him. When they had 
turned to complete their circle Little Beaver 
mounted and rode away. 

It had been a thrilling experience, and hav- 
ing passed safely through it the lad felt much 
encouraged. At the first encounter he had 
outwitted his adversaries, and by so doing he 
had gained confidence. But he realized, too, 
that still graver dangers threatened him, 
and the thought sobered him and made him 
serious. Then the fear that his father had 
been killed entered his mind and weakened 
him. Worried and perplexed, he turned his 
face to the heavens and bared his soul to the 
Great Spirit, and at once his heart grew strong 
and his fears vanished. 

Little Beaver traveled until dawn had 
blazed its trail across the eastern sky; then 
he rode into a shallow ravine and went into 
hiding. At frequent intervals, as the day 
wore on, he climbed the steep sides of his 
hiding-place and, with only his head in sight, 
made sweeping surveys of the shelterless 
plain. Before him, less than a day’s journey 
away, were the mountains, and somewhere 
near their base was the hostile Blackfoot camp. 

The brook-bed in which he had taken shel- 
ls 


10 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


ter was dry, and before many hours had passed 
both Little Beaver and his mount suffered se- 
verely from thirst. The sun shone with un- 
abated fury, and stifling heat-waves rose from 
the parched ground. Little Beaver told him- 
self that it was the duty of warriors to endure 
such things. To bring moisture to his mouth 
he placed a pebble beneath his tongue; then 
he drew his robe over his head and sought 
repose in the shadow from his horse. The 
pony, however, was restless, and it scraped its 
imshod hoofs against the sun-baked earth in 
a vain attempt to And water. By doing this 
it raised a dust cloud, and, fearful that it 
might betray him. Little Beaver threw the 
restive animal and tied its feet with his raw- 
hide lariat. Then he settled down to wait for 
darkness and the opportunity to approach the 
Blackfoot village. 

Climbing to the top of the ravine some time 
later, he saw a number of mounted warriors 
riding toward his shelter. They came from 
the direction of the mountains, and Little 
Beaver believed them to be a war-party de- 
spatched from the village. If they were, the 
unknown riders of the night before probably 
were scouts who had been sent forward to 
reconnoiter and make safe the advance of the 
war-party. 


146 


LITTLE BEAVER, SON OF ROARING BEAR 

The Blackfeet were some distance away, 
and Little Beaver continued to watch them. 
It was evident that they intended to cross the 
ravine. If he remained in his hiding-place 
they would be sure to see him; if he left it 
and fled over the prairie they would pursue 
him. For a few moments the young brave 
was worried and undecided. Then he slid to 
the bottom of the ravine and began to search 
for a place of concealment. 

The dry brook-bed was tortuous, and Little 
Beaver followed it until he found a place 
where it turned at a right angle. If the riders 
held to their course this spot would screen 
him from their sight. 

Once more he climbed the bank and saw the 
war-party continuing in its original course. 
The riders were much nearer, and he had 
little time to spare. 

With his knife he severed the bonds of his 
pony. Then he led it along the ravine until 
he came to the abrupt turn. To guard against 
an outcry he covered the pony’s head with 
his robe, and, satisfied that they were in- 
visible, he crouched beside his horse and 
waited in breathless suspense for the war- 
party to pass. 

When the Blackfeet had crossed the ravine 
and gone on their way. Little Beaver felt 
147 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


much relieved. He began to hope, too, that 
there were few warriors in the village. He 
was impatient for night. 

As soon as it was dark Little Beaver rode 
toward the Blackfoot camp. He was ignorant 
of its exact location, and he traveled carefully, 
while he used his eyes and ears to help him find 
it. At last he saw the great black forms of the 
mountains directly before him and he knew 
that he was within striking distance of his en- 
emies. Then his pony snorted and wheeled 
toward the timber, and Little Beaver heard 
the sound of running water. A moment later 
he was drinking at the edge of an icy stream 
which tumbled down from the snow-clad peaks 
above him. 

Little Beaver believed the Blackfoot camp 
to be near this very stream. When he had 
relieved his parched throat he concealed his 
pony in the timber. Then he cautiously made 
his way along the stream. The night was al- 
most gone and he was anxious to locate the 
Blackfoot camp before daylight. He finally 
discovered it in a grove of willows. Well sat- 
isfied with his work, he retraced his course and 
went into hiding with his pony. 

Daylight showed Little Beaver the lodges, 
the dogs, and some of the inmates of the 
Blackfoot village. He saw only a few ponies, 
J48 


LITTLE BEAVER, SON OF ROARING BEAR 

and he interpreted this to mean that most of 
the warriors had gone with the war-party. 
But before the day was over they returned 
with many others. The camp was filled with 
fighting-men, and Little Beaver lost heart. 
His danger had increased and his chance of 
success had diminished. However, he con- 
tinued to watch, hoping for some unlooked-for 
opportunity to rescue his father. 

The ponies of the returned war-party were 
turned loose, and they immediately scat- 
tered to feed. A few wandered toward the 
timber, and Little Beaver watched them cov- 
etously. A clean-limbed little piebald drew 
away from its comrades, and, watching his op- 
portunity, Little Beaver stole forward and led 
it into captivity. He twisted a rawhide thong 
about its lower jaw and tied the captive be- 
side his own mount. 

Then a commotion at the village drew his 
attention, and he deserted the ponies and re- 
turned to the edge of the plain. What he saw 
drove the fighting blood to his brain and 
turned his heart black with anger. His father, 
the great chief Roaring Bear, had been sent 
out with several old women to gather wood. 
It was the greatest insult the Blackfeet could 
offer, and the warriors added to it by jeering 
and laughing from the edge of the camp. 

149 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


For an instant Little Beaver thought of 
rushing from cover to battle with the entire 
Blackfoot tribe. Then he saw the foolishness 
of such a vain display of bravery. He told 
himself that he had come to save his father, 
not to avenge him. If he would accomplish 
his purpose he must be patient and calm and 
calculating. Realizing this, the trembling lad 
crouched lower in his cover and watched, with 
hate-glowing eyes, the distressing scene before 
him. 

Little Beaver saw that his father had a bag 
on his back, into which the cackling old squaws 
deposited their armfuls of wood. The observ- 
ing lad also noted that Roaring Bear’s hands 
were free, but that his feet were loosely tied 
with short lengths of buckskin. His steps, 
therefore, were slow and faltering. Little Bea- 
ver noted, furthermore, that the prisoner and 
his female guard were constantly drawing 
nearer his hiding-place, and this gave him 
hope. He counted each step forward, and as 
they continued to advance he formed his plan. 

Twilight began to settle, but still Roaring 
Bear and the old women persisted in their 
search of wood. Many of the braves had tired 
of making sport of the spectacle, and had 
retired into the village. A few still lounged 
about the outside and called mockingly to the 


LITTLE BEAVER, SON OF ROARING BEAR 

captive chief, and at each insult to his father 
Little Beaver half rose and swept his right 
hand to his knife-hilt. He believed that his 
father was purposely delaying the return to 
the village, with the idea of making an at- 
tempt at escape. 

When the wood-gatherers were out of bow- 
shot from the village, Little Beaver deter- 
mined to try his plan. Rising, he sent two 
arrows harmlessly over the heads of the old 
women. Before they had recovered from their 
surprise he rushed upon them, brandishing 
his knife and whooping fiercely. Shrieking in 
fear, the squaws deserted their captive and 
fled toward the village. 

It took Little Beaver only an instant to 
free the feet of his father, and Roaring Bear 
ran after him into the timber. They hurried 
to the horses, and, when they reached them, 
they mounted and rode out upon the plain. 
Straight into the herd of Blackfoot ponies they 
rode. Roaring Bear whooping in triumph and 
Little Beaver waving his robe. The animals 
instantly became frightened and galloped away 
in a wild stampede; and the Blackfeet were 
compelled to start a hopeless chase on foot. 

Two days later the Crows saw a large herd 
of ponies racing toward the camp. The war- 
riors mounted the few horses the Blackfeet 
151 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


had left them and went forward to round them 
up. Then they began to shout and sing their 
war-songs, for they recognized Little Beaver, 
and beside him they saw Roaring Bear, their 
chief. 

''It is well Little Beaver is the son of his 
father, his medicine is strong, and his heart 
is brave; let us call him Fighting Bear,” 
laughed old White Bird as he came running 
from the medicine-lodge. 


IX 


A PAWNEE SCOUT 

S POTTED WEASEL slid from his pony 
to watch two columns of black smoke 
which were rising into the sky far away to the 
west. As the young Pawnee gazed upon them, 
the smoke pillars began to twist and break 
and ascend in great cloud-like puffs. Then 
they joined, and Spotted Weasel knew it was 
a signal. He believed it came from a war- 
party of Sioux, who were calling their people 
together for a great war-council. 

War having already been declared between 
the Sioux and the Pawnees, Spotted Weasel 
had been sent to watch for just such signals 
as he had discovered. Well pleased with his 
success, therefore, the young Pawnee threw 
himself upon the plain and studied the distant 
spirals of smoke with much interest. 

It was not long before the lad’s keen eyes 
discovered a third smoke signal, very far away 
and barely perceptible against the eastern sky. 
153 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 

It was evident that a second company of 
Siotix were replying to the signals of their 
tribesmen. Shading his eyes with his hands, 
the young Pawnee transferred his attention 
to the new signal. It was so far away that he 
could make little of it, but he believed it was 
a prompt acceptance of the call for a council. 

A few moments later Spotted Weasel looked 
away toward the north, and there, too, he saw 
a smoke signal rising against the sky. The 
young Pawnee thus found himself in the cen- 
ter of a triangle of hostile war-parties. Undis- 
mayed by his peril, the courageous young 
scout remained to watch the signals. When 
they finally ceased he mounted his pony and 
rode boldly across the plain. 

Some distance away a small wooded hill 
rose from the plain and stretched a long tim- 
bered arm out across the fiat sage-brush 
country. The young Pawnee rode toward it. 
He planned to conceal himself on the hillside 
to watch for his enemies. 

The sun was setting as Spotted Weasel 
finally reached the base of the hill and rode 
cautiously into the timber. Then he dis- 
mounted and led his pony up the steep rocky 
hillside imtil he found a suitable place of con- 
cealment. He stopped by the side of a tiny 
Stream which trickled down through the 
154 


A PAWNEE SCOUT 

woods over great moss-covered rocks. After 
the pony had satisfied its thirst the young 
Pawnee muzzled the animal with a piece of 
buckskin to prevent it from calling to the 
Sioux war-ponies which he felt sure would 
soon pass across the plain. Then he picketed 
the pony in a dense stand of aspens, and con- 
cealed himself close by to watch for his foes. 
From his hiding-place he could scan the flat, 
open country for many miles on both sides of 
the hill. Spotted Weasel watched steadily 
until dark, but saw nothing except a few rov- 
ing bands of antelope and several small herds 
of buffaloes. 

Although the Sioux and the Pawnees were 
at war, as yet no great battles had been fought. 
Hostilities had not developed further than a 
few skirmishes between wandering parties of 
hunters, and one or two minor encounters be- 
tween scattered companies of scouts. Both 
tribes, however, were preparing for a decisive 
conflict. The Sioux were gathering the widely 
separated tribes of their great nation for a 
crushing blow against their foes. In the mean 
time the Pawnees had assembled in one vast 
camp, and had then sent forth many scouts to 
find and follow the Sioux, that they might 
warn their people as to the exact whereabouts 
and numbers of the war-parties moving against 
iSS 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


them. Spotted Weasel was one of the scouts 
selected for this dangerous work. 

As the night wore on and he heard nothing 
to arouse his fears, the young Pawnee made 
his way to the edge of the plain, so that 
he would be better able to hear the hoof -beats 
of any passing company of horsemen who 
might be traveling to join their tribesmen 
under cover of the night. Wrapped in his 
robe, Spotted Weasel seated himself in the 
dense thicket which skirted the base of the 
hill. As he sat there listening for sounds of 
his foes, he turned his eyes to the star-lit 
heavens and opened his heart to the Great 
Mystery. A band of skulking coyotes howled 
their challenge through the dark, and then 
all was still. Several times Spotted Weasel 
crawled cautiously from his cover and lay 
with his ear to the plain, in an effort to catch 
the sound of horses. All he heard was the 
soft rustling of the sage, as the night wind 
passed gently between the twisted branches. 

Then the noise of many hoofs suddenly re- 
verberated through the night, and Spotted 
Weasel leaned forward, listening anxiously. 
A moment afterward he heard the shrill call 
of his pony. It had freed itself of the buck- 
skin muzzle and was snorting and thrashing 
about in wild efforts to escape and join its 
156 


A PAWNEE SCOUT 


kind, which were passing across the plain. 
The young Pawnee’s heart filled with despair, 
for he feared that he had been betrayed to his 
enemies. 

The noise of the hoofs ceased. It was evi- 
dent that the horsemen had stopped upon 
hearing the unexpected challenge from the 
hillside. Then, as the eager lad strained his 
ears to catch a warning from his foes, he heard 
a low guarded call echo across the plain. The 
unknown travelers were attempting to learn 
whether the hill was occupied by a party of 
their own people. As the signal went un- 
answered, however, they knew that they had 
stumbled upon an enemy, and as they were 
unaware how strong a force might be hiding 
in the timber, they withdrew from arrow- 
range and went into council. 

Aware that he had been discovered, the dis- 
mayed young Pawnee was undecided as to 
just what he should do. For a moment he 
thought of rushing recklessly out upon the 
plain, but an instant afterward he realized 
that such folly would mean sure death. Still, 
he believed that to remain where he was might 
be equally perilous, for if the Sioux once sur- 
rounded the hill all escape would be shut off. 

A few moments later the Sioux began to 
close in upon the hill. Realizing that if he 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


remained in the timber he would soon be 
found, Spotted Weasel abandoned his pony 
and crawled cautiously into the sage. Stop- 
ping to listen, he heard the horsemen separate 
into two companies, one to search each side of 
the hill. Having learned that much, the 
young scout wriggled snake-wise through the 
sage, in the hope of eventually escaping imder 
cover of the darkness. 

Spotted Weasel had not gone far, however, 
before he heard signals rising on all sides of 
him, and for a moment he lost heart as he 
realized that he was surrounded by a slowly 
contracting circle of sharp-eyed Sioux scouts. 
He knew only too well the fate that awaited 
him if he were captured. His one chance was 
to crawl between the sentinels under protec- 
tion of the night, and he determined to make 
the attempt. 

Aware that discovery meant death. Spotted 
Weasel moved through the sage as noiselessly 
as a wolf. As he advanced, however, the 
circle of riders slowly closed in until he could 
hear the voices of the nearest horsemen. Then 
he stopped. He told himself that he would 
soon learn his fate. Unmoved by the prob- 
ability of capture and death at the hands of 
his foes, the courageous lad fitted an arrow to 
his bow and prepared to drive the missile into 
158 


A PAWNEE SCOUT 

the heart of the first Sioux warrior that 
barred his way. 

Then, for some reason, the horsemen 
stopped, and the young Pawnee waited in an 
agony of suspense. At last he determined 
to advance. He crept cautiously forward, 
prepared to defend himself at the first hint of 
danger. Then a pony snorted within bow- 
shot of him and he sank noiselessly to the 
plain. Long, torturing moments passed while 
Spotted Weasel lay in the sage, afraid to move. 
As he heard nothing of his foes, he began to 
fear that they had dismounted and were ad- 
vancing stealthily through the dark on foot. 
His heart bounded at the thought, for he re- 
alized that such a manoeuver would make es- 
cape almost impossible. Then he heard his 
pony call from the hillside, and his eyes 
fiashed angrily. A moment later his sharp 
ears caught the sound of sage scraping against 
buckskin leggings, and he knew that his fears 
had been realized — the wily Sioux scouts had 
dismounted and were approaching on foot. 

Spotted Weasel swerved from his course to 
avoid a warrior whose careful approach he 
had at that moment discovered. The alarmed 
lad had not gone an arrow-fiight, however, 
when he found himself confronted by another 
crafty foe. Realizing the impossibility of 
159 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


avoiding them, the young Pawnee flattened 
himself against the plain and waited breath- 
lessly, in the hope that they might pass with- 
out discovering him. 

Then Spotted Weasel saw a sudden flash 
of light behind him. A moment afterward a 
ruddy glow appeared at the base of the hill. 
The sotmd of snapping twigs warned him of 
what had happened, and in an instant the 
whole cunning stratagem suggested itself to 
his mind. The main company of warriors, 
having scouted over the hill and found the 
picketed pony, had learned that the solitary 
fugitive had retreated to the open plain. Be- 
lieving that he was hiding somewhere in the 
sage, they were making a great Are of brush- 
wood in the hope that its light would reveal 
their foe to the sharp eyes of the unmounted 
scouts on the plain. 

For a moment the despairing young Pawnee 
was on the verge of panic. He saw no way 
now of avoiding capture, and it seemed fool- 
hardy to make the attempt. Each moment 
the flames were mounting higher, and the 
fatal circle of light was slowly widening. 
Spotted Weasel realized that there was not a 
moment to spare — to hesitate was to perish. 
The thought roused him to action. He told 
himself that it was the part of a coward to 
i6o 


A PAWNEE SCOUT 

meekly surrender to his foes. Besides, his 
people were depending upon him, and if he 
failed to bring them the warning for which 
they were waiting, the Sioux might surprise 
and almost annihilate the Pawnee camp. 
Driven to a frenzy by the thought. Spotted 
Weasel determined to escape from his foes. 

Slowly, a hand-length at a time, the young 
Pawnee wriggled along on his stomach toward 
the line of sharp-eyed Sioux scouts. He heard 
the steady crackle of the flames behind him, 
and glancing uneasily over his shoulder he 
saw a broad crescent of yellow light spreading 
rapidly across the plain. The shadows were 
retreating ahead of him, and he knew that he 
must keep up with them if he would avoid dis- 
covery. He had approached within striking 
distance of the nearest Sioux, and only slightly 
farther away to his right he heard another. 
To escape he must pass between them. 

However, as Spotted Weasel hesitated, the 
sentinels shifted their positions and left a 
wider gap between them. The glare from the 
Are had almost overtaken him, and the young 
scout realized that a moment’s delay would be 
fatal. Turning his face to the heavens, he 
prayed earnestly to the Great Mystery. Then 
he crawled boldly forward and passed his foes 
under cover of the darkness. 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


The plain between the hill and the circle of 
scouts was now brilliantly illuminated. Each 
bunch of sage showed forth gray and distinct 
in the flickering glare. A triumphant shout 
rose from the Sioux, for they believed that 
somewhere on that strip of lighted prairie an 
enemy lay at their mercy. The scouts had 
mounted and were riding slowly forward. 
Every boulder was carefully examined, each 
patch of sage was beaten, in the hope of dis- 
covering the concealed foe. Then, when they 
had Anally searched every inch of the ground 
without finding the one whom they sought, 
the Sioux realized that he had escaped. The 
thought drove them into a frenzy of rage. 
Yelling wildly, the entire company mounted 
their ponies and dashed aimlessly about the 
black plain in an effort to run down the un- 
known scout who had eluded them. 

Once through the Sioux lines. Spotted Wea- 
sel rose to his feet and hurried away through 
the sage. The village of his people was sev- 
eral sleeps distant, and, alone and on foot, he 
had little hope of reaching it. His first desire, 
therefore, was to travel as far as possible be- 
fore daylight. 

Then the pounding of hoofs and the yells of 
the riders reached his ears. He stopped at 
the sounds, and his sharp eyes peered vainly 
162 


A PAWNEE SCOUT 


into the darkness in search of a hiding-place. 
It seemed as if the entire plain was covered 
with a horde of yelling horsemen. Whichever 
way he turned he heard them in front of him. 
As he stood there, listening, a pony thundered 
toward him, and the startled lad had only 
time to throw himself prone before the yelling 
warrior dashed past within bow-length of him. 
For some moments the young Pawnee lay 
where he had fallen. All about him echoed 
the thunder of unshod hoofs, while the night 
rang with the piercing war-whoops of the 
vengeful Sioux horsemen. 

The war-party finally rode on, however, and 
Spotted Weasel heard them yelling far ahead 
of him. He realized that for the moment he 
was spared, but the thought gave him little 
comfort, for he knew that his plight was now 
even more desperate than it had been. He was 
again in the center of a great circle of Sioux 
horsemen, powerless to move in any direction 
without once more penetrating their lines. 
The thought weakened his confidence. For a 
long time he remained in hiding. Then, when 
the noise from the riders finally died out in 
the distance, he rose and resumed his perilous 
advance. 

Spotted Weasel had gone a considerable dis- 
tance before he heard the baffled Sioux re- 
163 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


turning. Once more he concealed himself in 
a clump of sage and waited for them to pass. 
It was evident that the Sioux had abandoned 
all idea of capturing him, for they were riding 
carelessly and conversing in loud tones with- 
out any attempt at concealment. The young 
Pawnee crouched in his hiding-place, and 
smiled grimly as he heard his unsuspecting 
foes ride by in the darkness. 

When the Sioux passed from hearing, 
Spotted Weasel left his shelter and continued 
his journey across the vast starlit plain. He 
knew that he had been close to death, and he 
stopped and gave thanks to the Great Mys- 
tery for his deliverance. All through the 
night he kept to his tireless stride, and when 
daylight finally dawned he stopped at a water- 
hole to drink and refresh himself. 

While Spotted Weasel was resting beside 
the little pool he turned his attention upon 
a distant cloud of dust which rose behind a 
low rise of the plain. He knew it came from 
the feet of many animals. Perhaps it rose 
from a herd of buffaloes, or a band of antelope, 
or more probably from the ponies of another 
Sioux war-party. His heart bounded at the 
thought and he became alert and suspicious. 

Concealing himself behind a large boulder, 
the young Pawnee watched the dust-cloud 
164 


A PAWNEE SCOUT 


with considerable anxiety. At last he saw a 
thin, black line moving slowly across the 
plain. A few moments of careful observation 
convinced him that it was a company of horse- 
men. He felt sure that they were Sioux, and 
as they seemed to be traveling directly toward 
the water-hole his heart filled with gloomy 
forebodings. 

Spotted Weasel’s first impulse was to rise 
and seek safety in flight. Except for the 
two great boulders between which he had 
crawled, and the little circle of trees about 
the water-hole, the plain was bare and shel- 
terless, and he soon realized the ^ folly of 
his plan. He knew that to expose himself 
to the approaching war-party would invite 
instant pursuit, with the certainty of speedy 
capture and death at the hands of his foes. 
To remain at the water-hole meant a desperate 
battle for his life against overwhelming odds. 
After a moment’s deliberation he chose the 
latter alternative. He believed that from his 
position between the boulders he could fight 
off his pursuers until darkness came to his aid. 
Then he would again attempt to crawl away 
from his foes. Determined and unafraid, 
therefore, he decided to risk his life on the out- 
come of this hazardous manoeuver. 

As the Sioux finally approached, Spotted 
i6s 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


Weasel fitted an arrow to his bow and waited 
with calm indifference for his enemies to come 
within range. He felt comparatively safe be- 
tween the two massive boulders which formed 
his barricade, and he believed that he held his 
foes at a serious disadvantage. 

When the war-party was sufficiently near, 
Spotted Weasel sounded the Pawnee battle- 
cry and discharged an arrow at the foremost 
rider. It fell short, however, and struck the 
ground at the feet of the frightened pony. 

The astonished Sioux instantly turned their 
ponies and retreated from arrow-range. It 
was evident that they suspected a Pawnee 
ambuscade at the water-hole. As they gath- 
ered in council, Spotted Weasel was somewhat 
encouraged to find that there were fewer war- 
riors than he had supposed in the war-party. 

After his first bold attack the young Pawnee 
made no further move, and the Sioux were 
unable to guess the strength of the force con- 
cealed about the pool. Spotted Weasel knew 
that it was only a question of moments, how- 
ever, before they would learn the truth, and 
then he felt sure his stronghold would be at- 
tacked with great fury. He knew that if his 
foes chose to expose themselves they could 
easily overwhelm him, and he would be killed 
like a wolf in a trap. 


i66 


A PAWNEE SCOUT 


In the mean time the Sioux had begun to 
ride slowly about the water-hole. They were 
evidently trying to learn the strength of the 
enemy, for at frequent intervals a solitary 
horseman would leave the circle and ride reck- 
lessly toward the water-hole, hoping to draw 
a volley of arrows. Then the entire company 
began shooting their arrows into the little 
group of trees, with the expectation of receiv- 
ing a volley in return, which might enable 
them to estimate the numbers opposing them. 

Spotted Weasel took great satisfaction in 
seeing them waste their arrows. Then, their 
ruse having failed, the Sioux seemed to sudden- 
ly guess the true state of affairs. They began 
to whoop excitedly and discharge their arrows 
at the rocks which sheltered their youthful foe. 
The young Pawnee felt sure that they had dis- 
covered him. A moment later they began to 
ride in upon him, but he rose to his knees and 
drove them back with a deadly volley of arrows. 

Aware that they were confronted by a lone 
representative of their hated enemies, the 
Sioux separated and surrounded him. Then 
they made a concerted attack from front and 
rear, but the courageous young Pawnee again 
drove them off. They began to realize that 
his position was well-nigh impregnable. They 
withdrew, therefore, to hold another council, 
167 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


As they retreated from arrow-range Spotted 
Weasel rose and began to taunt them. He 
dared them to come forward and capture him, 
and accused them of being cowards. 

Roused by his words, the Sioux turned 
about and charged in a body. Spotted Weasel 
knew that the supreme moment had arrived. 
His bowstring twanged many times, and each 
time an arrow sped true to its mark. This 
time, however, the enraged Sioux were not to 
be stopped, and in spite of his heroic resistance 
they were soon upon him. 

Shouting defiance. Spotted Weasel rose and 
discharged his arrow at the nearest horseman, 
who was leaning toward him with upraised 
tomahawk. Then, as the rider plunged head- 
long to the plain, the alert young Pawnee 
leaped upon the back of the Sioux pony. 
Urging it to a wild burst of speed, he dashed 
away with the entire war-party in close pur- 
suit. Realizing that the success of his daring 
manoeuver depended upon holding his pur- 
suers at a safe distance. Spotted Weasel 
turned and dropped the nearest ponies with 
his arrows. Then he crouched low on the neck 
of his mount and fled at top speed. Arrows 
seemed to fill the air, and the young Pawnee 
heard several whiz by close to his head. Hav- 
ing gained somewhat on his pursuers, he made 

i68 


A PAWNEE SCOUT 


no attempt to return their volleys, but con- 
fined his efforts to his pony. 

The chase led out across the vast plain, 
toward a distant range of mountains, where 
Spotted Weasel hoped to find shelter in a 
rock-bound canon. The lad had not gone far, 
however, before one of the Sioux overtook 
him. Dropping behind his horse. Spotted 
Weasel discharged his arrow from beneath the 
animal’s neck. The Sioux reeled, clutched 
wildly at the air, and toppled backward over 
the rump of his pony. The Pawnee reached 
over and grasped the twisted rawhide lariat 
which dangled from the animal’s lower jaw. 
Then, with the infuriated yells of his foes to 
spur him on, he raced along in possession of 
the riderless pony. 

Spotted Weasel soon realized that the ani- 
mal he had just captured was far swifter than 
the one he rode. He jumped from one horse 
to the other, and then, abandoning the slower 
mount, he shook his weapons derisively at his 
enemies and raced on toward the canon. The 
new pony gained steadily upon his pursuers, 
and soon opened a long gap between the de- 
lighted young Pawnee and the foremost riders 
of the war-party. Having passed from arrow- 
range, Spotted Weasel sat up and looked 
behind him. 


169 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


It was evident that the Sioiix had no idea of 
abandoning the chase, for they were whooping 
and urging on their ponies at top speed in a 
vain endeavor to overtake him. 

Now that he was momentarily out of dan- 
ger, Spotted Weasel felt the sharp twinge of 
several wounds. Assuring himself that they 
were not serious, he scorned the pain and 
rode on with his eyes fixed hopefully on the 
distant mountain range. 

Then the pony stumbled and plunged to its 
knees. As the nimble beast recovered itself 
Spotted Weasel heard something snap, and a 
great fear entered his heart. A moment later 
he saw it realized as the gallant little pony 
began to falter. He saw at once that it had 
been badly lamed. Despite his desperate urg- 
ing, the crippled pony steadily lost ground. It 
had splintered one of the smaller bones in the 
right fore leg. The young Pawnee was driven 
to a frenzy of despair. Almost within reach 
of the shelter toward which he had been racing 
he seemed doomed to suffer defeat and death. 

He glanced fearfully over his shoulder and 
saw that the Sioux were gaining rapidly upon 
the crippled beast beneath him. He used 
every means in his power to force it to a 
faster pace, but the best it could do was a slow, 
faltering canter. Spotted Weasel realized that 
170 


A PAWNEE SCOUT 


his end was near. With a disabled horse be- 
neath him, and his pursuers gaining at every 
stride, there seemed little likelihood of escape. 
He drew an arrow and fitted it to his bow, 
determined to pierce the first of his foes that 
came within range. 

It was evident that the wily Sioux had 
already guessed that some misfortune had 
befallen their enemy, for they were yelling tri- 
umphantly and beating their ponies unmerci- 
fully. As they drew nearer they spread out 
into a wide, fan-like formation so that they 
might attack the Pawnee on all sides. 

Once his pursuers were in range, however. 
Spotted Weasel began the fight. In the first 
exchange of arrows his pony received a Sioux 
shaft through the heart and dropped dead 
beneath him. Believing that his death was 
only a matter of moments, the courageous lad 
sheltered himself behind the body of his horse 
and prepared to fight to the end. 

As usual, the cautious Sioux drew off and 
began to canter around their adversary. 

Aware that he was entirely at their mercy, 
they were anxious to kill him with the least 
possible risk to themselves. They raced 
wildly about him, therefore, clinging to the 
sides of their ponies and discharging their ar- 
rows with little effect. 

171 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


Thus the unequal fight continued for some 
time. Then, realizing that those tactics 
gained them nothing, the Sioux attempted to 
ride him down, but the wounded Pawnee 
fought so furiously that they were compelled 
to scatter and retreat in disorder. Then for 
a long time they cantered slowly around him, 
exposing themselves in an effort to draw his 
arrows. He was too wise to fall into the trap, 
however, and for a time hostilities ceased. 

While Spotted Weasel was waiting for the 
next attack from his foes he saw a large com- 
pany of horsemen coming from the distant 
canon. His last hope fled, for he told himself 
that still another war-party of Sioux were 
coming to join their tribesmen. They had 
urged their ponies into a furious gallop and 
were making directly for the scene of battle. 
His eyes flashed as he realized the hopelessness 
of the odds against him. He knew it was use- 
less, but, nevertheless, he determined to fight 
on till his last arrow was gone or one from 
the enemy pierced his heart. 

The Sioux, too, were watching the approach- 
ing horsemen. Then, having apparently rec- 
ognized them, they began a furious attack 
upon Spotted Weasel. They had identified 
the new-comers as Pawnees, and as they 
greatly outnumbered the Sioux, the latter 
172 


A PAWNEE SCOUT 


realized that they must flee to save them- 
selves. They were making one flnal at- 
tempt to kill the valiant youth who had defled 
them before they were compelled to retreat 
from his tribesmen. 

Spotted Weasel heard the war-cry of his 
people issue from a hundred throats, and he 
raised his own voice in reply. Then, like a 
wounded panther at bay, he turned to meet 
the vicious onslaught of the Sioux. His tribes- 
men were shouting encouragement and rid- 
ing furiously to his aid. Although he was 
desperately wounded, the sight of his people 
gave him courage and he fought savagely to 
save his life. Turning, twisting, dodging, he 
managed somehow to survive until the Sioux 
finally turned in panic and fled before the 
superior force of Pawnees. 

Singing Hawk, the great Pawnee war-chief, 
stooped and lifted the unconscious lad from 
the ground. They carried him to the canon 
and placed him upon buffalo-robes beside a 
clear cold stream that trickled down from the 
snow-clad peaks. Then, as they were dressing 
his wounds. Spotted Weasel regained con- 
sciousness. The following day he was placed 
on a stretcher made of poles and buckskin, 
which was slung between two ponies, and car- 
ried to the far-away Pawnee camp. 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


The main company of Pawnees, having 
learned the location of the Sioux rendezvous 
from Spotted Weasel, summoned all their 
people to join them, and then went against 
the Sioux and completely surprised and de- 
feated them. When they finally returned in 
triumph to the Pawnee camp, they brought 
many captured ponies, and among them was 
the little buckskin which Spotted Weasel had 
abandoned on the hillside. 


X 


THE WHITE BUFFALO 

M edicine elk, the venerable Pawnee 
. war-chief, had offered ten of his best 
ponies for the robe of the white buffalo. Stim- 
ulated by his offer, the most renowned hunters 
in the tribe departed on the quest. They 
scattered to the four winds and began to ride 
the prairie in search of buffaloes. They found 
the animals in countless numbers, but none 
of the vast herds contained the coveted 
trophy. 

The second day. Yellow Bird, the youngest 
member of the hunting-party, left his com- 
panions and rode away toward the north. He 
had heard tales of immense herds of buffaloes 
in the land of the Sioux, and he determined to 
verify them. There was great danger in such 
a journey, but the lad was fearless. He was 
an orphan, and very poor, and there would be 
no one to mourn him if he were killed. Besides 
his weapons, his sole possession was the buck- 
175 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


skin pony beneath him. It was a famous buf- 
falo horse, and he had inherited it from his 
father, who had been killed by the Blackfeet 
when they carried away his squaw. 

Pour days’ travel brought Yellow Bird to 
the land of the Sioux. It was as he had heard 
— the plains were covered with buffaloes. It 
seemed as if he had entered the Great Hunting 
Ground. Yellow Bird scarcely could believe 
his eyes. Wherever he looked he saw great 
herds of buffaloes. He believed that among 
such vast numbers he surely would find the 
white trophy which would bring him fame 
and riches. 

The day was far spent, and Yellow Bird de- 
cided to postpone his hunt until the morrow. 
His journey had been an exhausting one, and 
his pony needed rest. He rode to the base of 
the mountains, and followed a stream to a 
grassy plateau, where he made his camp. 
When darkness fell he picketed his motmt, 
for he had seen bear-tracks on the mountain- 
side and he feared the buckskin might stam- 
pede if the bear appeared. 

At daylight he was awakened by the rum- 
bling of the great bulls on the plain below him. 
The scene was one to quicken the pulse of the 
most hardened hunter. Yellow Bird looked 
upon it in amazement. The buffaloes had 
176 


THE WHITE BUFFALO 

scattered to feed and the plain was covered as 
if with a huge brown robe. The great beasts 
were divided into various bands, and each 
band had its sentinels. They were huge, 
shaggy-headed bulls, veterans of many gory 
battles. They were constantly on the alert 
for danger, and if foe or rival came too 
near they first threatened and then charged. 
Sometimes a rival bull challenged their leader- 
ship, and then there was sure to be a terrific 
encounter, which continued until one of the 
contestants was vanquished. Yellow Bird 
witnessed several such contests, and his eyes 
glowed with excitement. He noticed that the 
younger bulls gave the surly old warriors a 
wide berth, and he appreciated their pru- 
dence. The center of each herd was composed 
of cows and calves, the latter remaining close 
beside their mothers. Yellow Bird saw the 
reason for their timidity when he discovered 
a company of skulking gray brutes loitering 
cautiously at the edge of the herd. They were 
wolves, and he knew they were there because 
of the calves. But the watchful old bulls kept 
their eyes on them, and when they ventured 
too near these faithful guardians rushed at 
them and drove them away. The sight was 
one long to be remembered; Yellow Bird had 
heard noted himters describe it at the council- 

12 177 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


fire, and now that he had it before him he de- 
termined to memorize every incident. 

But his sharp eyes suddenly discovered 
something which claimed his whole attention. 
Near the edge of a large herd far away to the 
right he saw the animal for which he was 
searching. For a moment he was afraid to 
trust his sight, but when it did not vanish or 
change color under his eager scrutiny he knew 
it was real. An instant later it moved apart 
from its fellows and he saw it distinctly. It 
was a pure-white yearling buffalo. 

Yellow Bird led his pony into concealment 
at the edge of the plain, and sat down to plan 
an approach which would take him within 
arrow range. It was not an easy task, for 
there were many difficulties to overcome. He 
realized that to be successful he must sepa- 
rate the white buffalo and its companions from 
the rest of the herd. Unless he could do this 
it might be lost to sight in the confusion of a 
general stampede. Several pony-lengths al- 
ready separated this band from their fellows, 
and the Pawnee waited anxiously for them to 
increase the distance. At last his patience 
was rewarded, for the white yearling, with 
about thirty companions, left the herd and 
wandered away in search of new pasturage. 

The Pawnee raced his pony across the plain 
178 


THE WHITE BUFFALO 

in an endeavor to cut them off. His appear- 
ance threw the herd into great confusion. 
The old bulls rumbled and threatened; the 
cows crowded together in panic; and the 
calves, sensing danger from the general con- 
sternation, bawled with fear. 

Yellow Bird gave no heed to them. He 
kept his eyes on the band which sheltered the 
white buffalo. As he approached they broke 
into a lumbering gallop, and the enthusiastic 
young hunter began to whoop exultantly. It 
was no task for the fleet-footed little buck- 
skin to overtake the awkward fugitives, and 
in less than a mile the Pawnee found himself 
within bow-shot. But the white buffalo had 
crowded to the center, and its companions 
shielded it from his arrows. Yellow Bird 
urged his pony among them and endeavored 
to force his way to the side of the white year- 
ling. It was dangerous work, and if his pony 
had stumbled he would have been instantly 
killed. But the buckskin was well trained, 
and it carried its rider safely to the desired po- 
sition. Then Yellow Bird sounded his war- 
cry and buried two arrows behind the left 
shoulder of the yearling. It went to its knees 
in a cloud of dust, and its companions divided 
around it and abandoned it to its fate. 

When he had removed the valuable white 
179 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


pelt from his victim the elated young Pawnee 
rose to his feet to sound his cry of victory. 
But the cry died suddenly in his throat and 
he hurried to the side of his mount, for he saw 
something which aroused his suspicions. He 
had discovered a small band of ponies some 
distance away to the east of him. To all ap- 
pearances they were riderless and unaccom- 
panied, but their actions made him appre- 
hensive of danger. They were approaching 
slowly at an acute angle, so that only one side 
of their bodies was exposed to view. The 
buckskin called, and his apparently wild kins- 
men answered. Then they halted, as if sus- 
picious of the man who stood beside the 
strange yellow horse. But their show of alarm 
lacked the characteristic nervousness of the 
native wild horse. Yellow Bird believed that 
they were being skilfully manoeuvered by con- 
cealed riders. Having regarded him for some 
time, they advanced more rapidly. But the 
Pawnee was too wily to be caught in the trap, 
and he jumped upon his pony and rode away 
at top speed. 

One glance over his shoulder confirmed his 
suspicions. The ponies were racing along on 
his trail, and each of them carried a Sioux 
warrior. The plain was shelterless, and Yel- 
low Bird realized that to escape he must hold 

i8o 


THE WHITE BUFFALO 

off his pursuers until dark. He had full con- 
fidence in the speed and endurance of the 
little buckskin, and as he had a substantial 
lead he hoped to escape. He knew that the 
Sioux, enraged at the failure of their strat- 
agem, would make a determined effort to run 
him down in open chase. They were well 
mounted, and Yellow Bird believed that rather 
than see him escape they would kill their 
ponies to overtake him. 

After the first excited whoops the Sioux 
raced after him in grim silence. Once, in a 
spirit of pure bravado, the young Pawnee 
turned and shook his bow at them. One of 
the foremost riders answered the challenge 
with an arrow, but it fell short, and Yellow 
Bird knew that he was holding his lead. He 
leaned over and spoke affectionately to the 
little buckskin. It was running at top speed, 
and the lad wondered how much longer it 
could maintain the pace. He had heard his 
father tell wonderful tales of this horse, and 
he hoped it would prove itself worthy of his 
praise. Yellow Bird realized that it had two 
things in its favor: first, the splendid lead; 
and second, his light weight upon its back. He 
was but a stripling, and he felt sure that some 
of the Sioux ponies were carrying double his 
weight. 

i8i 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


But at that instant the little buckskin 
stepped into a concealed badger-hole. Yellow 
Bird did his best to pull it to its feet, but in 
spite of his efforts it crashed to the ground and 
crushed his leg beneath it. The Sioux yelled 
triumphantly, and urged their ponies at top 
speed. Yellow Bird dragged himself from be- 
neath his mount and limped to its head. It 
did not rise, and his heart sank in despair. 
Then it began to gasp, and his hopes revived. 
It was stunned and breathless, but he urged 
it to its feet. Then, as it staggered forward 
under his frantic blows, he grasped its mane 
and pulled himself to its back. The effort 
made him weak and dizzy, for it seemed as if 
a hundred arrows were tearing their way 
through his injured leg. But he dared not 
give way to his agony, and he forced the buck- 
skin into a feeble gallop. Then the game little 
pony established its reputation. Maddened 
by its punishment, it recovered from the shock 
of its fall and bounded away at top speed, and 
the tortured lad on its back swayed dizzily 
and fell forward with his arms clasped tightly 
about its neck. 

The Sioux had cut his lead in half, but the 
buckskin stopped their gain. Three ligaments 
in its right fore leg were tom, and the fetlock 
was badly sprained, but the courageous little 
182 


THE WHITE BUFFALO 

beast only ran the faster for its agony. In 
spite of their best efforts the pursuing horse- 
men were unable to gain. They were forced 
to use their riding quirts unmercifully to keep 
from being distanced. But the buckskin ran 
unaided, for pain had rendered unconscious 
the lad upon its back. 

Yellow Bird came to his senses with a start, 
and caught himself in the act of sliding from 
his mount. He managed to pull himself into 
position, and then he turned for a look at his 
pursuers. They were nearer than when he 
had last looked, and he believed they were 
overtaking him. He began to beat the buck- 
skin. But it was running as no other horse in 
the Pawnee tribe had ever run before, and 
Yellow Bird saw that it required no urging. 
Then he suddenly discovered that he had lost 
his bow. The discovery made him weak at 
heart. He swept his hand to his knife-sheath, 
and his fingers closed convulsively about 
the handle of his hunting-knife. Except for 
that he was weaponless. He realized the 
utter hopelessness of keeping the Sioux at bay. 
Once they came within arrow-range they 
would have him at their mercy. The useless 
arrows rattled in the rawhide case at his side, 
and a futile rage filled his heart at the sound. 
Then he realized that he must depend en- 
183 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


tirely on the faithful little beast beneath 
him. 

Then he again looked over his shoulder, his 
spirits rose, for most of his pursuers had fallen 
far behind. He had gained on all but three. 
These riders were strung out one behind the 
other, and he saw that they were cutting down 
his lead. For a moment he had doubts of the 
buckskin. It was carrying the lightest weight, 
and he saw no reason why they should gain. 
Had he known the agony it was suffering, he 
would have understood the handicap under 
which it labored. But his own pain made him 
oblivious to the possibility that his mount also 
might have suffered from the fall. 

The chase continued throughout the day, 
but the pace had slackened until it was little 
more than a slow canter by the time twilight 
gathered. The pursuers were strung along for 
several miles behind him, and most of them 
were hopelessly out of the race. The three 
leading horsemen, however, were almost with- 
in arrow-range, and four or five other riders 
were near enough to be dangerous. They 
seemed to realize that unless they overtook 
him before dark their long chase would be in 
vain, and they were forcing their m.ounts to 
the limit to accomplish their victory. 

Yellow Bird was equally determined to hold 
184 


THE WHITE BUFFALO 

them off, for he, too, realized that darkness 
was coming swiftly to his aid. If he could 
hold his lead until it fell he believed he might 
still escape. But the buckskin was far spent, 
and its loud, labored breathing gave warning 
of a speedy collapse. He dared not spare it, 
for to slacken the pace would have been fatal. 
Inch by inch, foot by foot, yard by yard, his 
pursuers closed the gap. But each minute the 
twilight thickened. The little buckskin 
swerved from its course and an arrow fell to 
the ground close beside it. Yellow Bird 
longed for his bow, for he knew that his en- 
emies were within range of him. . He crouched 
forward on his pony’s neck and\endeavored 
to force the animal to greater speed. The 
effort was useless, for the exhausted beast was 
unable to respond. Another arrow sped by 
within a foot of his head, and the Pawnee lost 
hope. He drew his knife and crouched still 
closer to his horse. He heard the hoof -beats 
of the ponies behind him. It was almost dark, 
and the Sioux were forcing their jaded mounts 
to a killing sprint. If he could hold them off 
for another half-hour he believed their horses 
would drop under them. He pounded the 
buckskin between the ears with the handle of 
his knife. To his amazement it responded to 
his appeal, and, open-mouthed, wide-eyed, 
i8s 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


gasping, trembling, the game creature made 
one final effort and carried him out of range 
of his pursuers. It carried him a mile or more 
through the darkness, and then horse and 
rider fell to the earth, exhausted. 

When Yellow Bird finally opened his eyes 
he was lying on his back with his face up- 
turned to the stars. For a moment or two a 
sickening dizziness overcame him. Then his 
brain cleared somewhat and he attempted to 
rise. He fell back with a groan. He pushed 
himself to a sitting posture and looked curi- 
ously behind him. He heard the labored 
breathing of his horse, and turning his eyes 
in the direction he saw the poor beast lying 
within arm's reach of him. He crawled pain- 
fully toward it, and it raised its head as he 
approached. A hasty examination told him 
the true story of its gallant race. He sat be- 
side it throughout the night. 

At daylight the buckskin rose stiffly to its 
feet, and Yellow Bird dragged himself up be- 
side it. He looked anxiously across the plain 
for his pursuers, but they were nowhere in 
sight. Then, far behind him, he saw a hud- 
dled form upon the plain. A long scrutiny 
enabled him to identify it as a dead pony, and 
the Pawnee smiled grimly as he realized how 
determined his pursuers had been. When the 

i86 


THE WHITE BUFFALO 


buckskin was able to walk Yellow Bird pulled 
himself to its back and turned toward the 
Pawnee camp. His agony was intense, but he 
bore it cheerfully, for in a roll on his back he 
carried the coveted white pelt. 

With the exception of Yellow Bird, all the 
hunters had returned to the Pawnee camp. 
They had hunted in vain, and old Medicine 
Elk’s reward was still unclaimed. The chief 
questioned them about the poor orphan lad, 
but none of them knew what had become of 
him. They thought he had lost his way and 
wandered north into the hunting-grounds of 
the Sioux. A few old women wailed for him, 
but most of the people looked upon his disap- 
pearance indifferently. He was but a lad, un- 
skilled and untried, and warriors do not mourn 
over such as he. They would avenge him in 
their next encounter with the Sioux, for he 
was a Pawnee, but until that time they would 
dismiss him from their minds. But old Med- 
icine Elk had had a vision, and he believed 
that Yellow Bird would return. He would 
have been glad to pay him the reward, for he 
was fond of the boy. But he kept his hopes 
to himself, and when the warriors offered va- 
rious explanations to accoimt for Yellow 
Bird’s disappearance the old chief gnmted 
assent to each of them. 

187 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


Several days after the last hunter had re- 
turned, some boys were playing at the edge 
of the Pawnee village, when they suddenly 
began to shout and point excitedly to the 
plain. Fearful of an attack from a Sioux war- 
party, the people ran from the village to look. 
They saw a solitary figure staggering along at 
the head of a limping pony. Instantly the 
truth dawned upon them, and they raised a 
great shout of joy. '‘It is Yellow Bird! He is 
returning to us from the lodges of the Sioux!” 
But as they watched he fell forward on his 
face, and the pony stood beside him with 
drooping head. They mounted their ponies 
and rushed to his assistance. 

That night Yellow Bird was carried to the 
council-lodge, for he was unable to walk. 
When old Medicine Elk had assembled his 
warriors the lad was formally adopted by the 
great war-chief of the Pawnees. Then he was 
presented with twenty ponies, ten for bring- 
ing the white buffalo-robe and ten more in rec- 
ognition of his bravery. But of them all, his 
favorite was the little buckskin, his father’s 
famous buffalo horse. 


•XI 


THE ADVENTURE OF CRYING BEAR 

E agles were highly prized by the Black- 
foot nation. Their feathers were made 
into gaudy war-bonnets, and were used for 
decorating shields and other personal belong- 
ings. No warrior of importance could afford 
to be without some of these valuable feathers. 
They were so valuable that several dead 
eagles would often secure a splendid hunting 
pony in trade. 

Crying Bear, the young Blackfoot, had risen 
to the honorable rank of warrior, and yet he 
did not own a single feather of this warlike 
bird. In order to gain the prestige due one of 
his exalted rank he must secure feathers 
enough for his use at the earliest opportunity. 

After the manner of his people, therefore, 
he withdrew from the village one dark night, 
and made his way alone to a near-by mountain- 
top. There, wrapped in his robe, he sat 
through the long hours of darkness, absorbed 

189 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 

in prayer and supplication to The One Above. 
He asked for success on his expedition and 
that good medicine would bring many eagles 
to his bait. 

With the first light of day he was back in 
the village to gather his weapons, his robe, 
some food, and several hoe-like instruments 
for digging. Then he started across the 
prairie toward the distant mountains on his 
quest. 

As the sun sank toward the horizon he came 
within the cool shadow of the towering peaks 
at the edge of the plain. Proceeding to a high 
rise of ground, he dug a hole slightly deeper 
than his own height. He was very careful to 
carry away and secrete the earth removed, so 
that the natural appearance of the surround- 
ings were not interfered with. Then from a 
strip of timber at the mountain base he 
brought a back-load of poles of varying lengths 
and thicknesses. Next he collected several 
armfuls of brush and long grasses. Placing 
these near the hole for use next day, he with- 
drew to the shelter of the forest which began 
at the prairie-rim. He stole silently along 
through the trees, following the faint impres- 
sion of a recent deer trail. At short intervals 
he stooped to examine a displaced stone, a 
crushed leaf, or a broken twig, and so ascer- 


THE ADVENTURE OF CRYING BEAR 


tained that the unsuspecting animal was but 
a short distance in advance of him. 

Crying Bear made his way toward a small 
woodland pool that shimmered in the rays of 
the setting sun. As he peered through the 
branches, it appeared before him like some 
rare gem flashing forth from its setting of 
emerald. 

Then he heard something at his right, and 
a moment later a magnificent black-tail buck 
strode to the water’s edge. Not a breeze 
rippled the glassy surface of the pool, and the 
sensitive nose searched in vain for some sus- 
picious taint of unseen danger. Crying Bear 
fitted an arrow to his bow and waited in eager 
suspense. Twice the antlered head was low- 
ered to drink, and twice raised nervously, as 
with twitching nostrils and erect, moving ears 
the timid creature searched for danger. 

The flinty point of the arrow was aimed just 
behind the shoulder, the tense Angers were 
taken from the tightened bowstring, and with 
the noise of an angry bee the missile sped to 
its goal. A dull thud — and the stricken buck 
fell dead in the shallow pool. Crying Bear 
hurried to the prostrate form. His practised 
hands soon dismembered and cut up the car- 
cass. Then, having selected what meat he 
required, he prepared to camp for the night, 
191 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


Several times during the night the snarls 
and cries of hungry animals sounded from the 
vicinity of the kill. Once he heard the growl 
of a bear. Then all was still, and he concluded 
that the smaller animals had fled at the ap- 
proach of this formidable beast. 

Long before daylight the eagle-hunter made 
his way noiselessly to the excavated pit. De- 
positing a large piece of deer meat on the ground 
near by, he began laying the poles across one- 
half of the opening. The bottom layer was 
placed lengthwise, the top crosswise, and 
then the poles were loosely thatched on top 
with brush and grass. Next, the piece of fresh 
meat was brought and fastened to a long bit 
of buckskin, which was dropped down into the 
pit. The bait was placed conspicuously on 
top of the grass and brush. Then Crying Bear 
dropped into the hole. He carefully arranged 
the sticks and covering until the whole open- 
ing was thickly roofed over. As he stood up- 
right in his hiding-place his head came within 
a foot of the top. With his hands he arranged 
the underlying poles so that he might reach 
through the dense covering of his roof at any 
desired spot. Having arranged the bait to 
his satisfaction, he squatted down to wait for 
daylight and the coming of the eagles. 

From far up in the sky, as they sailed forth 
192 


THE ADVENTURE OF CRYING BEAR 


in search of food, the great birds would be sure 
to see the alluring bait so prominently dis- 
played. Swooping down, they would alight at 
some little distance where they could make a 
safe inspection. Satisfied, at length, that a 
bountiful providence had left this tempting 
morsel especially for them, they would walk 
boldly upon the concealed platform to carry 
off the generous bit of carcass. Unable to fly 
away with it, owing to the restraining bit of 
buckskin whose trailing end was held by the 
concealed watcher, the unwary birds would 
remain to rend and tear the meat piece by 
piece. Then a hand would be stealthily 
thrust up through an opening between the 
poles, and the legs of the unfortunate bird 
would be clasped in a grip of steel. It would 
then be dragged below to be knelt on and 
strangled. 

Greeted by a noisy chorus of coyotes, the 
light of dawn crept slowly down the mountains 
and out over the level plain. Already some 
enterprising black-capped chickadees were in- 
dustriously pecking at the bait. A croaking 
raven alighted and would have torn and scat- 
tered the lure had not Crying Bear thrust up 
at him with a stick and frightened him away. 

The rising sun warmed and wakened into 
life the high gloomy crags and pinnacles of 
13 193 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


the mountains. A large golden eagle preened 
its plumage and shook itself. Then it left its 
lofty, sun-kissed aerie, and launched forth 
into space. In large circles it sailed out over 
the plain below, its keen eyes strained in a 
search for food. Spying the kill far beneath 
it, it dove toward the earth with a wild scream. 

The noisy rush of air through stiffened pri- 
maries, and the dull thud of a heavy body 
striking the prairie, warned Crying Bear that 
an eagle had dropped to the lure. Anxious 
and eager, he waited for the appearance of the 
great bird on the platform above him. 

Alighting some little distance from the trap, 
the eagle stood with spread wings and cocked 
head, suspiciously inspecting the tempting 
bait. As if to shame it for its cowardice, the 
mischievous chickadees returned to the car- 
cass and called derisively to the eagle as they 
ate their fill. With great stiff -legged strides, 
and the bold, insolent swagger of a bom free- 
booter, the feathered monarch made his way 
slowly to the fatal feast. 

He tugged furiously at the fastened meat 
in a vain effort to carry it off. Twice he raised 
it from its resting-place, and Crying Bear was 
obliged to pull with all his might to retain it. 
Aware that for some reason he could not carry 
his prize away, the baffled bird decided to re- 

194 


the: ADVENTURE OF CRYING BEAR 

main and dispose of it on the spot. Pulling 
and tearing with beak and talons, he bolted 
great chunks of the bloody meat. In the 
midst of his repast, however, he was tightly 
grasped about the legs and, flapping and hiss- 
ing, pulled through the flimsy platform and 
into the concealed pit below. Not before he 
had inflicted several painful wounds on his 
captor, however, was the life Anally crushed 
out of him. Then the trap was rearranged for 
another victim. 

Crying Bear remained in concealment the 
entire day, and captured several more eagles 
and a number of large hawks. Then, as the 
long slanting shadows from the mountains 
fell across the plain at the approach of eve- 
ning, he again heard the thud of a heavy body 
on the earth near his trap. As before, he 
crouched low and waited eagerly to secure one 
more eagle before abandoning his shelter. 

A peculiar sniffling noise was followed by 
the unmistakable growl of a bear. Greatly 
surprised, the concealed hunter rose on tiptoe 
to peer anxiously through the interlaced 
branches. For a moment his heart failed him, 
for his staring eyes beheld a monster grizzly 
sniffing suspiciously at the tainted air. 

As the huge beast advanced cautiously 
toward the bait, the panic-stricken lad 
195 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


crouched at the bottom of the pit. His ac- 
tive mind instantly foresaw the fatal results 
should the bear walk unwittingly upon the 
frail platform of sticks. It would instantly 
give way beneath the great weight and pre- 
cipitate the savage animal into the pit on top 
of him. Jumping to his feet, therefore, he 
pulled the decoying meat quickly into the hole. 
Shouting loudly, he tore at the roofing of poles 
and their covering and soon scattered them, 
leaving the top of his pit open to the sky. 
Then, with thumping heart and parched lips, 
he crouched down among the bodies of his 
feathered victims. 

The grizzly, having observed this unex- 
pected commotion, heard and noted the mys- 
terious disappearance of his intended meal 
and evidently suspected the presence of a rival. 
With a savage growl, he charged to the rim of 
the hole and peered over. In the bottom 
crouched the terrorized young Blackfoot, gaz- 
ing fearfully up into the snarling face of the 
bear. 

Due to an old-time superstition prevalent 
among the people, eagle-hunters considered it 
bad luck to carry their weapons into the pit 
with them ; they must be left securely hidden 
at their camping-place. The young brave saw 
the folly of this now, and wished with all his 

196 


THE ADVENTURE OF CRYING BEAR 


heart that his trusty bow and arrows were re- 
posing by his side. Weaponless, and a pris- 
oner in his own trap, he cowered helpless in 
the bottom of the pit. 

The enraged grizzly, urged on by the smell 
of the bloody meat, was making desperate ef- 
forts to reach his imprisoned prey. Lying 
prone, the great beast leaned dangerously over 
the rim and reached down with its huge paw. 
Unable to quite reach the huddled figure be- 
low, it tore frantically at the earth in its rage. 
Several times the bear started to climb head 
foremost into the hole, but the drop was too 
great and the sides too smooth and steep, and 
each time it reluctantly drew back. Then it 
ambled awkwardly about the circular rim, en- 
deavoring to find some easier way of reaching 
its enemy. Ugly growls denoted its increas- 
ing rage as it made further frantic but ineffec- 
tual attempts to reach the victim of its wrath. 

Crying Bear noted the gradual fading of 
daylight from the sky above. His heart filled 
with misgivings at the thought of approaching 
darkness. The possibilities of the night sent 
a shudder through him. Should the bear step 
carelessly over the edge of the hole and come 
crashing down upon him, he would be mauled 
to death before he could clamber out. On the 
other hand, should he himself attempt to 
197 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


leave the pit under cover of darkness, he 
would in all probability find the wily animal 
waiting to strike a death-blow when his head 
appeared above the rim. 

The bear, baffied for the present, had gone 
some distance away from the hole and was 
laying grim, silent siege to the beleaguered 
hunter. The blackness of night finally settled 
down over the plain, and still Crying Bear 
huddled in the bottom of the pit. Cold, hun- 
gry, and parched, he dared not rise, for fear of 
the swift lunge of an unseen paw. Several 
times he heard the fierce brute growling above 
the hole, and from the falling earth and peb- 
bles he knew that the determined animal had 
again renewed its efforts to reach him. Once 
he heard it scratching on the side- wall with its 
long, cruel claws, and he feared it was about 
to plunge head foremost to the bottom of the 
pit. At length, after many futile endeavors 
to reach him, it again withdrew, and Crying 
Bear believed that for the moment, at least, 
he was safe. 

Cramped from his awkward position, the 
Blackfoot dared not attempt to ease his 
strained muscles, for fear of inviting a fresh 
attack. That the persistent animal was still 
on guard he felt sure. Then an idea came to 
him and he proceeded to try it. Rising 
198 


THE ADVENTURE OF CRYING BEAR 


quickly, he threw the piece of deer meat from 
the pit, and instantly crouched down again. 
Hopeful that the watching bear would accept 
this peace offering and withdraw, the young 
warrior waited, listening anxiously. 

The bear at once rushed and secured the 
meat. Withdrawing a short distance from the 
pit, it proceeded to eat its fill, but refused to 
abandon its obstinate vigil. 

The spirit of Crying Bear sank within him. 
Evidently the aggressive creature intended to 
remain until he crawled from his shelter. The 
outlook seemed gloomy indeed. His throat 
was parched with thirst, his body was racked 
with the pains of hunger, his muscles were sore 
and cramped, and his heart was faint and sad. 
Then the fighting blood of his people surged 
through his veins and gave him courage. If 
he only had possessed his weapons he would 
have crawled forth, uttering his battle-cry, and 
engaged the ugly beast in mortal combat. 
Even with his hunting-knife to aid him he 
could have risen and enticed the bear within 
range of its fatal sweep. His helplessness 
goaded him into a rage, and, clenching his 
fists, he called out foolishly, daring the grizzly 
to come into the pit to fight him. Then, real- 
izing his folly, he calmed himself and en- 
deavored to think of some way to escape. 

199 


WAR PATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 


The sounds of feasting had subsided, and 
Crying Bear was uncertain as to whether or 
not the grizzly had finally withdrawn. He 
was not left long in doubt, however, for savage 
growls and falling earth heralded another at- 
tack on his hiding-place. So much earth was 
tom loose and sent upon him that the alarmed 
hunter had grave fears that the bear might in- 
tend to bury him alive. This falling debris 
fell upon his head and entered his eyes, and as 
he was unable to tell where the next lot would 
come from, owing to the impenetrable black- 
ness, he was obliged to endure the torture. 
Finally it ceased, and he knew that the bear had 
again withdrawn to rest. Unwilling to sacri- 
fice his highly prized trophies, the eagles, the 
desperate hunter threw the less valuable bodies 
of the hawks from the hole in an endeavor to 
appease the anger of the grizzly. He listened, 
only to hear the great beast walk leisurely to 
the birds, evidently crush them with its huge 
paw, sniff contemptuously once or twice, and 
again return to the attack on the pit. This 
time it lost its balance and slipped forward, 
head downward, but luckily stopped itself by 
digging its long claws into the earth. As the 
awkward beast drew back with a grunt the 
tense hunter relaxed with a great sigh of 
relief. 


200 


THE ADVENTURE OF CRYING BEAR 


The long hours of darkness dragged slowly 
along while the bear kept up a series of inter- 
mittent attacks, and the besieged hunter 
crouched in fear and anxiety at the bottom of 
the pit. It seemed to him that daylight would 
never come, and he called to The One Above 
to send him light and aid. Once, unable to 
endure the cramp in his legs, he rose cau- 
tiously to his feet. Rejoicing in the relief to 
his strained muscles he did not hear the ap- 
proach of the stealthy animal above him, and 
in a powerful sweep the death-dealing paw 
just grazed the top of his head. Needless to 
say, Crying Bear did not rise again during the 
rest of the night. 

With the dawn his spirits rose, and al- 
though weak and faint for want of food and 
drink he felt sure that with the coming of 
daylight the bear would take its departure. 
Looking nervously upward he saw great hol- 
lows scooped in the rim of the pit, while long 
deep claw-marks showed well down the sides. 
He raised himself slowly to his full height. 
He was scarcely able to stand, with the cramp 
in his legs. Then he placed his hands on the 
rim of the hole and drew himself up to look 
out upon the prairie. However, as soon as his 
head appeared the watchful grizzly charged 
at him. Again he cowered in the bottom of 
201 


WAR IPATH AND HUNTING TRAIL 

the pit and again the bear tore at the earth 
like a big dog endeavoring to dig out a wood- 
chuck. 

The sun rose and the hours of the morning 
passed painfully by. Still the bear kept 
guard. The unfortunate hunter was in misery. 
His throat burned as if on fire, and his swollen 
tongue filled his mouth and choked him. He 
had bitten into the necks of the dead eagles 
and endeavored to suck some of the blood 
from their veins. Then he had eaten parts of 
the birds raw to allay the pangs of hunger. 
To venture from the pit meant swift and 
terrible death; to pass another night simi- 
lar to the one he had passed would be equal- 
ly fatal. Already he was beginning to clutch 
at his clogged throat in his painful efforts to 
swallow. 

Late in the day, as he was abandoning hope, 
he heard the thunder of many hoof-beats on 
the sun-baked plain. Then the wild hunting- 
yell of his people sounded in his ears and a 
horde of Blackfoot warriors seemed to ride 
over him. Too weak to raise himself to the 
rim of the pit, he was lifted out by his com- 
rades, who pointed triumphantly to the car- 
cass of the bear lying a short distance away. 
Fighting to the last, the savage beast had 
fallen literally filled with arrows. 

202 


THE ADVENTURE OF CRYING BEAR 


The rescuers were a returning hunting-party 
of Blackfeet who, having discovered the bear 
out on the prairie, at once gave chase and 
thereby discovered the predicament of their 
tribesman. 



















